President: Chagos should be returned to Maldives if sovereignty changes

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday reaffirmed the Maldives' claim over the Chagos Archipelago, stating that if sovereignty over the islands is transferred, they should be returned to the Maldives.

Speaking at the official Independence Day ceremony, the President said the government continues to maintain its territorial claim over the archipelago, known in the Maldives as Foalhavahi.

His remarks come amid ongoing international discussions over the future of the Chagos Islands.

Earlier this year, the United Kingdom said it was holding discussions with the United States regarding plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius.

Referring to the Maldives' claim, President Muizzu said historical records support the country's position.

"The written records from Sultan Hassan IX are crystal clear. Therefore, the Maldivian people firmly believe that if [Chagos is to be handed over to anyone], it must be returned to its rightful owner," the President said.

"Otherwise, maintaining the current status quo presents no issue," he added.

The President said the government is continuing diplomatic efforts on the matter.

The proposed transfer of sovereignty to Mauritius has not yet been implemented. Reports indicate that progress on the agreement stalled because it had not received the necessary authorisation from the United States.

Subsequent reports also indicated that the UK government's plan to transfer sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius had been put on hold while the White House considered alternative proposals regarding the future status of the islands.