In a new move against the Maldives, India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has imposed strict port restrictions on the export of several vital products that were previously allowed to be shipped.

As per the updated regulations, it is now not possible to Export of basic goods only through four specific customs stations.

“The export of essential goods under the prohibited/restricted category to the Republic of Maldives during the period 2024-25 will only be permitted through the following four customs terminals: – Mundra Saka Port, Tuticorin Sea Port and Nhava Sheva Sea Port (JNPT)). and ICD Tughlakabad,” Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Director General of Foreign Trade, said in a notification.

Amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Maldives, India recently granted permission to export specified quantities of essential commodities for the financial year 2024-2025 from Through a unique bilateral mechanism at the request of the Maldives government.

Early on April 5, India lifted restrictions on the export of a specified quantity of nine products, including potatoes, onions, eggs, rice, wheat flour and sugar, to the Maldives during During the same period, the quantities approved under this bilateral agreement represent the highest since its inception in 1981, when India and the Maldives signed a trade agreement allowing the export of vital goods.

India implemented a wheat export ban in May 2022. That's from the commodities - basmati rice in July 2023 and onions in December of the same year. However, India has strategically supplied these products to neighboring countries like Bangladesh and key partners like UAE and Indonesia on a selective basis, tailored to specific cases, while maintaining priority focus on meeting domestic demands.

Recently and in In the statement, Dr Mohamed Moiso, without directly mentioning India, expressed his government's goal of reducing the Maldives' dependence on a single country for its food security. Furthermore, he announced that all Indian forces currently stationed in the country will be withdrawn by May 10, indicating that the withdrawal process is already underway.