Maldives Ready to Mediate, President Calls for SAARC Revival

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called on parties with differences to set aside their disputes and return to the negotiating table, saying the Maldives is ready to take the initiative and mediate if necessary as he called for the resumption of SAARC activities.

Speaking at the official ceremony marking the Maldives’ 61st Independence Day today, President Muizzu said the Maldives would always advocate for peaceful solutions and that the country was prepared to play a role in resolving regional tensions.

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“The Maldives calls upon the parties between whom differences have arisen to put those matters aside and come to the table, prioritising friendship for the development and peace of this region. If doing that is difficult, the Maldives is here to take the initiative and act as a mediator to carry forward those discussions,” he said.

The President also called for the resumption of SAARC activities, saying the regional organisation had not been operational for the past nine years.

He said SAARC, which was established with the participation of the Maldives to bring together South Asian nations, remained important for regional peace and cooperation.

“For the peace of this region, it is important to restart SAARC operations and proceed with SAARC member country meetings,” President Muizzu said.

SAARC activities have remained suspended amid tensions between India and Pakistan. The 2016 SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in Pakistan, was cancelled after India and several other member states boycotted the summit following an attack on Indian soldiers in Kashmir that year.

Maldives Reiterates Foreign Policy Position

Speaking about the Maldives’ foreign policy, President Muizzu said escalating differences and engaging in wars were not principles accepted by the Maldives.

He said the Maldives would continue to condemn what he described as the “inhumane atrocities” committed by Israel against Palestinians and advocate against the genocide in Gaza.

The President said the Maldives would maintain relations with all countries except Israel, reiterating the government’s decision to prohibit entry to the Maldives on Israeli passports.

“We decided with pride that entry to this country on an Israeli passport will not be allowed. We will maintain that. We will have close relations with all other countries,” he said.

President Muizzu further said his administration would focus on strengthening relations with Arab and Islamic nations, describing this as a foreign policy approach aligned with the values of Maldivians.

He said the government’s foreign policy would contribute to the contentment and prosperity of the Maldivian people.