Nasheed says Mauritius open to talks with Maldives

Former President Mohamed Nasheed said on Saturday that Mauritius is prepared to engage in discussions with the Maldives despite the suspension of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Mauritius severed diplomatic ties with the Maldives in March following disagreements over the Chagos Archipelago dispute.

The Mauritian government cited the Maldives’ opposition to the United Kingdom decision to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, as well as sovereignty claims made by the Maldivian government over the islands.

The Maldives and Mauritius established diplomatic relations on 15 January 1981.

Nasheed made the remarks upon returning to Malé after attending the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue held in New Delhi, India.

He said he met with the Mauritian Foreign Minister during the visit.

“It is never ideal to lack diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries. They are ready to engage. I hope the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will seize this opportunity to move forward with the Government of Mauritius,” Nasheed said.

Nasheed also said he discussed the Maldives’ foreign currency situation with Indian government officials during the trip.

He stated that financial assistance provided by friendly countries must be managed responsibly and said future support could depend on structured arrangements.

“I hope that by proposing a structured program to the Indian government, arrangements can be made to proceed under a specific framework,” he said.

Earlier, President Mohamed Muizzu sent a letter to the British Prime Minister stating that historical evidence shows the Chagos Islands belong to Maldivians.

The current administration has also stated that it is considering legal action over the United Kingdom’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.

In his presidential address at the opening of Parliament this year, Muizzu announced that the Maldives would withdraw a letter previously sent by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to the Prime Minister of Mauritius regarding the Chagos issue.

The President also stated that the Maldives does not accept the ruling by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on the maritime boundary south of the Maldives.

Following the announcement, Coast Guard vessels were deployed to patrol the area.