The administration of President Mohamed Muizzu has rejected calls for foreign assistance in securing the Maldives' maritime channels, following remarks by former President and MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed regarding heightened regional tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking at the "Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue" in New Delhi, Nasheed warned that the conflict in the Middle East could spill over toward the Maldives. Emphasising the need to rely more heavily on neighbouring India and other partner nations for national security, Nasheed stated that the Maldives must engage in meaningful strategic discussions with India.
"Refraining from outsourcing the surveillance of Maldivian territory and its maritime channels to foreign parties is a cornerstone of the government's policy to protect the independence and sovereignty of the Maldivian state," the government said in a statement responding to Nasheed’s remarks.
The government further asserted that this policy is designed to foster regional stability and maintain a conducive environment for global trade. The statement warned that entrusting the monitoring of Maldivian territory to foreign entities would negatively impact regional security.
"Opening any part of Maldivian territory, including international trade routes within our waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone, to foreign parties for military or other surveillance purposes would undermine the independence and sovereignty of the Maldivian state."
The current administration reaffirmed its stance that no part of Maldivian territory will be handed over to foreign parties under any circumstances. Furthermore, the Muizzu administration urged individuals to refrain from inviting foreign intervention in such matters.
