Amid Standoff, India, Maldives Discuss Trade, Mutual Security

Both countries came to an agreement on exploring and carrying forward the multifaceted collaboration between the Maldives Customs Service (MCS) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

The Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar, paid a courtesy call on Maldivian Commissioner General of Customs, Yoosuf Maaniu Mohamed, on Thursday. The discussions were centred around new areas of capacity building and collaboration in trade facilitation and mutual security.

Both countries came to an agreement on exploring and carrying forward the multifaceted collaboration between the Maldives Customs Service (MCS) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

The meeting took place in the backdrop of the strain in bilateral ties between the two countries over the disparaging social media posts by Maldivian junior ministers and government officials against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep and the request for the withdrawal of Indian troops by Maladivian President Mohamed Muizzu.