This article considers a couple of bilateral trade agreements the Maldives is a signatory to 

China – Maldives FTA

The FTA between China and the Maldives is China’s 16th and Maldives’ first bilateral FTA with a foreign country. The signing of this agreement is the latest step toward realizing the 19th CPC National Congress’s goal of “promoting the construction of Free Trade Areas and an open world economy,” as well as a significant step toward consolidating and strengthening the two countries’ all-round and friendly cooperative partnership in the future. This has established a precedent for the two countries’ mutually beneficial cooperation despite significant scale differences, marking a watershed moment in their respective trade and economic histories. This will significantly boost bilateral trade and economic links, allowing them to flourish further.

India – Maldives

The bilateral relations between India and the Maldives are referred to as India–Maldives relations. The Maldives and India are neighbors who share a maritime border. In strategic, economic, and military collaboration, relations have been amicable and close. India continues to help the island nation preserve its security.

A comprehensive trade agreement was negotiated between India and the Maldives in 1981. Both are founder members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), as well as the South Asian Economic Union and the South Asia Free Trade Agreement. On regional concerns, Indian and Maldivian leaders have maintained high-level interactions and dialogues.

The relationship between India and the Maldives has grown tremendously since the success of Operation Cactus. India has provided substantial economic assistance and has taken part in bilateral programs to build infrastructure, health, telecommunications, and human resources. It built the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Malé, the Maldives’ capital, improved telecommunications and aviation connections, and enhanced scholarships for Maldivian students. While India’s exports to the Maldives totaled 384 crores in 2006, imports totaled less than 6 crores. The State Bank of India has donated about $500 million to the Maldives’ economic development. India and the Maldives have announced plans to collaborate to increase tuna processing and fisheries.

The Maldives – the US

Since the Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966, the United States has maintained favorable relations with the country. The US ambassador and some embassy personnel in Sri Lanka are accredited to the Maldives and visit regularly. The Maldives, on the other hand, is represented in the United States via its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City.

The US backs Maldivian independence and territorial integrity and officially praised India for intervening on behalf of the Maldivian government during the November 1988 coup attempt. In recent years, US naval vessels have made regular visits to Malé. In 2001–2002, the Maldives provided considerable cooperation to US efforts to combat terrorism and terrorist financing.

Maldives – Japan

Foreign ties between Japan and the Maldives are known as Japan–Maldives relations. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1967.

Between 1984 and 2001, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the former President of the Maldives, visited Japan four times. Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo in 2014.

In 2007, the Maldives established an embassy in Tokyo. In 2016, Japan established an embassy in Malé, Maldives.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih visited Japan in October 2019 for Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony. President Solih met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his visit.

Pakistan – Maldives

Both countries have adopted Islam as their official religion and are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (S.A.A.R.C.).

Due to the lack of direct shipping connections between Male and Karachi, commercial relations with the Maldives are negligible. In 2003-04, total commerce between the two countries was only $2.1 million. The Joint Economic Commission between Pakistan and the Maldives was established in October 2005.