Bilateral trade between India and the Maldives has recorded a threefold surge over the past eight years, reflecting a deepening economic partnership in the Indian Ocean region. In financial year 2024–25, total trade is estimated to have crossed 800 million dollars, driven mainly by a sharp rise in Indian exports and a dramatic jump in Maldivian supplies to India.
India’s exports to the Maldives have doubled to around 680 million dollars in FY 2024–25, with key items such as petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, rice, fruits, vegetables, machinery and vehicles meeting critical daily needs of the island nation. On the other hand, imports from the Maldives have risen nearly 20 times to about 119 million dollars, led by fish and other marine products that are important for India’s seafood market and processing industry. This trade pattern underlines growing interdependence, where India acts as a reliable supplier of essentials while also becoming a major buyer of Maldivian products.
The surge in trade is also supported by growing tourism and connectivity between the two countries, with India consistently among the top sources of tourist arrivals to the Maldives. Recent high-level visits have further boosted confidence, with eight major agreements covering debt relief, a 565 million dollar line of credit for infrastructure, UPI–RuPay digital payment integration, fisheries, housing, security, climate resilience, and talks on a Free Trade Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty. These steps are expected to attract more private investment and make trade smoother and more digital in the coming years.
With new projects, stronger people-to-people ties and planned trade agreements, India–Maldives economic relations are set to move beyond traditional goods into services, technology and long-term development cooperation.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
Q1. What is the current size of India–Maldives trade?
Bilateral trade has crossed 800 million dollars in FY 2024–25, after growing more than three times in the last eight years.
Q2. What does India mainly export to the Maldives?
India mainly exports petroleum products, medicines, food items like rice, fruits and vegetables, along with machinery, electrical equipment and vehicles to the Maldives.
Q3. What does India import from the Maldives?
India largely imports fish and other marine products from the Maldives, which have seen nearly a 20-fold increase in value over recent years.
Q4. Which recent steps are boosting India–Maldives economic ties?
New agreements on debt relief, a 565 million dollar infrastructure credit line, UPI–RuPay integration, fisheries, housing, security and planned FTA talks are driving stronger economic cooperation.