New Delhi, July 22 -- India and Maldives are currently "in discussions" to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement as well as an investment treaty to bolster the economic ties between the two nations, coupled with new areas of collaboration such as renewable energy and fisheries, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated on Tuesday.

Addressing a press briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives, Misri elaborated on the burgeoning economic relationship between the two countries, noting that India was one of the biggest trade partners of the Maldives, with bilateral trade reaching nearly USD 500 million, with Indian investments already in Maldivian sectors like tourism.

"On the economic front, India is one of the largest t...