Many reports have emerged which suggested that India has reduced the export of essential goods to the Maldives in recent days but the Ministry of External Affairs is seeing red over such assertions.
In response to news items about the reduction of exports of essential goods to the nation, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry said:
“The reports are misleading. As highlighted in the recent notification by the Director General of Foreign Trade, the requirements are calculated based on actual utilisation in recent past and is consistent with the mechanism of the trade agreement signed between India and Maldives in 1981. India remains firmly committed to strong people to people ties between two countries and will ensure that people of Maldives do not have to endure any hardships.”
The two countries’ relations are sliding down as the Maldives’ has turned its back on democracy while also courting China and Pakistan which has earned the ire of many of its own nationals and also Indian polity.
India had expressed deep dismay over the situation in this nation and noted that the former President of the Maldives, as well as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, are being sentenced to long prison terms without fair trial.
India had said:
This casts doubt on the commitment of the Government of the Maldives to uphold the rule of law and will also call into question the credibility of the entire process of Presidential elections in September this year.