President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the government has made significant progress in pursuing a balanced foreign policy that prioritises the interests of the Maldives and its people.
Speaking on PSM News’ Nation Chat programme, President Muizzu outlined the key principles guiding his administration’s foreign policy.
The President said that before the current government took office, the Maldives’ foreign policy had been tilted towards certain parties in ways that endangered the country and created opportunities for external powers to exert control over the Maldives. He said this had exposed the country to risks.
President Muizzu said his administration had changed this approach by prioritising regional interests and what benefits the country and its people. He added that the Maldives would not interfere in disputes between countries when establishing foreign relations.
The President stressed that the Maldives would prioritise the country’s interests in its foreign relations and would not allow any country to exercise control over it, whether militarily or through other means. He also assured that the Maldives would not take actions that adversely affect regional security.
He also expressed hope that regional peace would be established and that meetings of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) would resume.
Highlighting the enduring bonds of brotherhood with Islamic countries, President Muizzu said the Maldives would prioritise strengthening ties with Muslim nations. He reiterated that the country’s foreign policy must always be pursued in a way that benefits its people.
The President said significant progress had been made in advancing the Maldives’ foreign policy, while acknowledging the strength of the foreign policy pursued under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He said the Maldives had maintained balanced relations with other countries during President Maumoon's leadership, without becoming aligned with any particular power.
“That is also my policy: to maintain the closest possible relations with everyone,” President Muizzu said.
He added that the Maldives’ foreign policy would continue to be guided by Maldivian values and principles, saying the approach had been reflected in the country’s foreign relations over the past three years.