First round of India–Maldives FTA negotiations concludes
The first round of India–Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, held virtually from 29 June to 7 July 2026, concluded with eight technical sessions covering eight policy areas.
Summary
The first round of negotiations for the India–Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded, the Commerce Ministry said on 14 July 2026, after being held in virtual mode from 29 June to 7 July 2026 with text-based talks in eight technical sessions covering eight policy areas. India's team was led by Chief Negotiator Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, and the Maldives team by Chief Negotiator Yusuf Riza. On 8 July 2026, Piyush Goyal met Maldivian Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed, and both sides agreed to expedite the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and the FTA as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. India is the Maldives' second-largest trading partner, and bilateral trade rose 13.54% to USD 771.76 million in 2025–26 from USD 679.70 million in 2024–25.
Key facts
- Round 1
- 29 June–7 July 2026, virtual mode
- Sessions
- 8 technical sessions, 8 policy areas
- Chief negotiators
- Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh (India); Yusuf Riza (Maldives)
- Ministers met
- 8 July 2026: Piyush Goyal and Mohamed Saeed
- Also pending
- Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)
- Trade 2025–26
- USD 771.76 million, up 13.54%
- Static link
- India is the Maldives' 2nd-largest trading partner; 60 years of diplomatic relations
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The first round of India–Maldives FTA negotiations in 2026 was held in which mode?
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Correct answer: B — Virtual mode
The first round was held in virtual mode from 29 June to 7 July 2026.
Who led India's negotiating team in the first round of India–Maldives FTA negotiations?
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Correct answer: D — Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh
Chief Negotiator Ujjwal Kumar Ghosh, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, led India; Yusuf Riza led the Maldives.
Consider the following statements about India–Maldives economic ties as of July 2026: 1. India is the second-largest trading partner of the Maldives. 2. Bilateral trade in 2025–26 was about USD 771.76 million. 3. The two countries are marking 50 years of diplomatic relations. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: India and the Maldives are commemorating 60 years of diplomatic relations.