Queen Elizabeth's 1972 visit strengthened Maldives-UK ties

Queen Elizabeth II's one-day official visit to the Maldives 50 years ago was an opportunity further to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. But unfortunately, relations between the two countries were not on excellent terms in the early 1960s.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated in the early 1960s due to allegations of influence and support from the British government to the self-declared Suvadive Republic headed by Abdullah Afif.

Several protests, at the behest of the Maldives government, were held against the British envoy Arthington-Davy, who was stationed on Dhoonidhoo island. Several rounds of talks with the British government officials in Colombo and London were held to resolve the issue. Then Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir put independence from Britain as a condition for talks with Britain.

Finally, an agreement was signed between the two countries on July 26, 1965, giving Maldives complete independence. Under the agreement, Britain was allowed to maintain its Royal Air Force staging post in Gan, in Addu Atoll.

The Queen's visit came during the first term of President Nasir after the Maldives reverted to a republic from a monarchy in 1968. The British monarch's one-day visit helped boost ties between the two countries.

The Queen arrived in the Maldives on the royal yacht Britannia on March 13 as part of a South-East Asia and Africa tour that took her to Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius and Kenya.

The Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, were warmly welcomed upon arrival in Male by senior government officials and the general public. She also attended various cultural activities organised in her honour.

The Queen and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, were conferred the title of Nishaan Izzuddeen ge verikan. Earl Mountbatten, who often visited Maldives during World War II as Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command, was also conferred Nishaan Izzuddeen ge verikan. The Queen also honoured President Nasir with the title of KCMG.

From Male, the Queen and her entourage travelled to Gan. She arrived in Gan at 12:15 pm on Wednesday, March 15, before leaving the same day for Seychelles at night.