India has decided to remove the Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC) on petrol and diesel exported to the Maldives, a move expected to reduce fuel import costs.

The decision was announced in a notification published in the Indian Gazette on Tuesday. The exemption applies to fuel exported by Indian state-owned oil companies and will also be extended to Mauritius.

The reduction is expected to lower the price of fuel imported from India to the Maldives.

The Maldives imports fuel from several countries, including India, while also relying on India for many essential food items.