India probes illegal routing of sugar shipment intended for Maldives to Sri Lanka

Indian authorities are investigating the alleged illegal diversion of a sugar shipment meant for the Maldives to Sri Lanka.

According to Indian media reports, the Indian government had agreed to export 64,494.33 tonnes of sugar to the Maldives under a special arrangement between the two governments. However, 70 tonnes of this shipment were smuggled into Sri Lanka without reaching Maldives. The Sri Lankan government has reportedly seized 70 containers of sugar tied to the incident.

Under the special agreement signed between Maldives and India in April, special permission has been given to import essential commodities such as wheat, sugar, flour, lentils, onions, potatoes, and garlic to the Maldives.