page_title: India–Malta relations
section_title: Economic relations
hierarchical_section_title: India–Malta relations / Economic relations
caption_attribution_description: This photograph of a Maruti Gypsy vehicle was taken by Tim Rogers on 23 September 2001 in Gozo, Malta. He agrees to licence it under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.
context_page_description: India and Malta maintain diplomatic relations. With the rapid rise of India's economy that now ranks the fifth biggest in the world and rising, Malta opened a High Commission in New Delhi in 2007. The present Maltese High Commissioner in New Delhi is H.E. Stephen Borg. Malta also has Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
  In early 2018 India opened a High Commission in Malta at 29 Triq-Galanton Vassallo, St Venera, SVR 1901. The present High Commissioner of India to Malta is H.E.Rajesh Vaishnaw. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
context_section_description: Indian-made hand loom clothes were sought after by Europe for many centuries. There was a thriving trade in hand loom between Italy and India in the 1st and 2nd century AD  as recorded by Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo (135–87 BC) a Roman general and politician. Emperor Augustus (23 September 63 BC to 19 August 14 AD), of Rome received at Antioch an ambassador from a South Indian king called Pandyan of Dramira. There was flourishing trade between Greece and India too. The trade started by Eudoxus of Cyzicus in 130 BCE kept on increasing, and according to Strabo (II.5.12), by the time of Augustus, up to 120 ships were setting sail every year from Myos Hormos in Greece to India.
  The Maltese government encourages Indian business firms to set up business in Malta. In order to attract Indian businesses Malta has offered various incentives to Indian companies. Malta has also signed a bilateral trade agreement with the Indian government, for the avoidance of double taxation. A global Indian pharmaceutical company Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has invested €16 million and set up a manufacturing plant in Hal Far, Malta that gives employment to hundred of  Maltese and helps train Pharmacy students at the  University of Malta. India's Aurobindo Pharma is increasing its investment and expanding its facilities in Malta.
  Bilateral trade between India and Malta witnessed a phenomenal growth. During the April–November 2012 period, India’s exports to Malta had reached US$265.26 million whereas imports from Malta were US$22.96 million. The main items of India’s exports to Malta are marine products, drugs, pharmaceutical & fine chemicals, inorganic/organic/agro chemicals, manufactures of metals, transport equipment and other commodities. The main items of India’s imports from Malta are pulp and waste paper, metal  scraps, organic chemicals, medicinal & pharmaceutical products, electronic goods.
  In April 2014, a high level CEOs delegation led by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) visited Malta at the invitation of Malta Enterprise to scout for business opportunities. Most of Indian businessmen were able to establish viable commercial contact. CII and Malta Enterprise also signed a MoU for cooperation. In November 2013 the Maltese Foreign Minister Dr. George Vella met Shri Salman Khurshid, on the side-lines of ASEM meeting in New Delhi. In 5–7 February 2015 Mr. Leo Brincat, Minister for Sustainable Development visited India to participate in the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit. Maltese Foreign Minister Mr. Carmelo Abela, visited India from 5–8 March 2018. He was accompanied by senior officials of his Ministry and 26 business delegates led by Trade Malta. Abela invited Indian companies to explore business opportunities and forge partnerships. In February 2018  PM Muscat of Malta met the Indian business community in London. He urged the Indian business community to keep a base in the UK, but co-locate to Malta because of Brexit.  Maltese PM Muscat again met with  British Indian billionaires and Industrialists including the Hindujas who topped the UK rich list on several occasions. The meeting took place at the House of Lords at the 'Indo European Business Forum' gathering on 2 and 3 November 2018 . Malta PM Muscat later visited India from 18 to 20 January 2019 and met Indian PM Modi. He was accompanied by a large Maltese trade delegation. Malta is seeking Indian trade and financial investment in Malta. Malta has successfully persuaded some of the Indian Bollywood film makers to shoot films in Malta. The last Indian  film made in Malta was the 'Thugs of Hindostan' in June 2017. Malta made USD millions from the Indian film industry in the process. Added the most expensive weddings in Malta today are Indian Hindu weddings. Maltese firms have been sponsoring several  Indian Hindu weddings worth  USD millions. An Indian wedding in October 2017 of Priya with Rishi cost Euro 2 million. Again a good earning for Malta.
  With the rapid rise of the Indian economy that rank third  in GDP Purchasing Power Parity the Maltese government encourages Indians to set up
caption: A pair of Indian Maruti Gypsy vehicles in Gozo, Malta.
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