This article covers trade between India and Malta, the main goods traded, Indian companies in Malta, business visits and events, and the economic agreements between the two countries. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of June 2026, which gives trade figures from both Indian and Maltese sources.

Trade overview

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, bilateral trade between the two countries is currently around USD 400 mn. The brief states that trade has seen an uptick in recent years and has increased by 12% in the last one year.

The brief expects trade to increase further in light of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which it says was recently concluded during the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi. It describes the agreement as bringing together two of the world's largest economies with 25% of global GDP.

Figures from India's Department of Commerce

The brief gives the following figures in US$ million, for financial years running from April to March:

  • 2018-19: India's exports 229.52; India's imports 43.76; total trade 273.28.
  • 2019-20: India's exports 208.20; India's imports 121.90; total trade 330.10.
  • 2020-21: India's exports 317.04; India's imports 23.70; total trade 340.75.
  • 2021-22: India's exports 477.22; India's imports 22.88; total trade 500.11.
  • 2022-23: India's exports 312.76; India's imports 51.35; total trade 364.10.
  • 2023-24: India's exports 496.11; India's imports 35.68; total trade 531.79.
  • 2024-25: India's exports 351.09; India's imports 24.01; total trade 375.10.

Figures from Malta's National Statistics Office

The brief also gives figures from NSO, Malta, in EUR million, for calendar years:

  • 2018: India's exports 142.4; India's imports 11.4; total trade 153.8.
  • 2019: India's exports 157.1; India's imports 21.3; total trade 178.4.
  • 2020: India's exports 180.5; India's imports 24.3; total trade 204.8.
  • 2021: India's exports 164.8; India's imports 35.1; total trade 199.9.
  • 2022: India's exports 251.63; India's imports 25.75; total trade 277.38.
  • 2023: India's exports 230.04; India's imports 39.15; total trade 269.19.
  • 2024: India's exports 312.42; India's imports 26.06; total trade 338.48.
  • 2025: India's exports 349.99; India's imports 31.35; total trade 381.34.

The two series use different currencies, periods and sources, so their figures for the same year are not directly comparable.

Main goods traded

The main items of India's exports to Malta are in the categories of pharmaceutical products, petroleum products, wheat, organic chemicals and ceramic products. The brief states that pharma products have been the main commodity, currently representing about 40% of India's total exports to Malta.

The main items of India's imports from Malta are in the categories of organic and inorganic chemicals, integrated circuits, machinery, and sorted or recovered paper.

Indian companies in Malta

As of the MEA brief of June 2026, there are 114 Indian companies registered in Malta. The brief describes Indian pharma companies as "a success story in Malta", naming M/s Aurobindo Ltd, M/s Misom Labs Ltd and M/s Torrent Pharma Ltd.

During the official visit of Dr. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta, to India in March 2026, the Maltese company Farsons Ltd launched Kinnie, a Maltese soft drink, in India.

Business visits and events

During the visit of Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu to Malta in September 2018, a Business Forum was organised jointly by the Malta Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Indian Industries, and was addressed by the two leaders.

Maltese ministers have visited India for business events:

  • Minister of Finance Prof. Edward Scicluna visited in February 2018 for the Global Business Summit organised by the Economic Times and Yes Bank, and met Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and Commerce & Industry Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu.
  • Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Mr. Carmelo Abela led a large business delegation in March 2018 and took part in the India-Europe Business Forum hosted by FICCI in New Delhi.
  • Minister of Economy, European Funds and Land Mr. Silvio Schembri took part in the Special Plenary Session of the CII India-Europe Business and Sustainability Conclave in New Delhi on 1 March 2023. On 28 February 2023 he presented his views in an interactive session at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The High Commission of India in Malta regularly hosts economic events, including a webinar for promoting investments in both directions and a Roundtable Discussion with stakeholders held in 2026. During his visit to Malta in March 2026, Secretary (West) Amb. Sibi George chaired a Roundtable Discussion on bilateral economic relations and visited the premises of the Indian company Torrent Pharma in Malta.

Economic agreements

The Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation was signed on 8.4.2013 and entered into force on 7.2.2014. An MoU between the respective Financial Services Regulatory Authorities, IFSCA and MFSA, was signed on 24.2.2026. At the third round of Foreign Office Consultations in September 2023 and the fourth in March 2026, trade and investments were among the areas discussed. Senior officials of the Malta Financial Services Authority had accompanied Dr. Ian Borg on his visit to India in October 2023.