India extends onion supplies to Sri Lanka and UAE after Maldives
PTC News Desk: Despite political shifts in Maldives towards a pro-China stance under Muizzu's regime, India continues to provide essential commodities to its neighbours.
Demonstrating the credibility of the Narendra Modi government’s "neighbourhood first" policy, India is set to supply thousands of metric tons of onions to Sri Lanka, following significant quantities of essential commodities provided to Maldives under the pro-China Mohammed Muizzu regime.
Furthermore, on April 3, India approved the supply of an additional 10,000 metric tons of onions to its close ally, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This decision comes on top of the 14,400 metric tons of onions agreed upon for the UAE on March 1.
Despite the potential for leveraging Muizzu's government on the eve of crucial Majlis elections on April 21, the export notification to Maldives emphasises that the export of essential items will be 'exempted from any existing restriction/prohibition on exports.' This implies that India will continue supplying essential commodities to Maldives, regardless of any export bans or restrictions imposed by India in the future due to unforeseen production shortfalls.
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Muizzu’s diplomatic missions to Turkey, China, and UAE to secure funds have yielded no success, as none of the countries have pledged any grants to the Indian Ocean littoral state. Muizzu's anti-India stance, coupled with his failure to revive infrastructure projects, has led to a decline in Indian tourist arrivals and increased reliance on low-spending Chinese tourists.
Despite the uncertain outcome of the Majlis elections, the Modi government aims to ensure that the Maldivian public does not suffer due to the policies of its erratic ruler. India's decision to export essential commodities is driven by a desire to support the Maldivian people, irrespective of the country's leadership.
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(Inputs from agencies)