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Politics of the Maldives |
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The Maldives has remained an independent nation throughout its recorded history, save for a brief spell of Portuguese occupation in the mid-16th century. From 1900 to 1965, the country was a British protectorate while retaining full internal sovereignty. At its independence in 1965, the Maldives joined the United Nations on 20 September.
Since 1978, the Maldives has followed a policy of international engagement, intensifying links with strategic partners and the international system. It joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1982. A founder member of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Maldives is also a member of the Bretton Woods system. It is also party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as well as numerous conventions on the protection of the environment, the suppression of terrorism, disarmament and on the promotion and protection of human rights.
In its transition towards a liberal democracy, the Maldives has established dialogue and collaboration with international human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and acceded to numerous human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). During the same period, the country has also intensified links with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and joined the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
The Maldives retains diplomatic relations with 172 countries, with resident diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Colombo, D.C., Dhaka, Geneva, Islamabad, Kuala Lumpur, London, New Delhi, New York, Riyadh, Singapore and Tokyo and non-resident accreditation in numerous other countries, including Bhutan and Nepal.
The country’s issues of interest include advancing national development, supporting international peace and security, including the protection of the environment and the promotion of human rights, and upholding the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
The Maldives has become a very strong advocate for the promotion and protection of human rights following the democratic transition in 2008. At the United Nations, the Maldives has since then called for all countries to adhere to their obligations under international law, and to respect fundamental freedoms and rights. In 2005, the Maldives became one of the promoters of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture after having earlier acceded to the convention. The Maldives is party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its optional protocol. In April 2006, the Maldives issued a standing invitation to all special procedures mandates of the UN human rights machinery to visit to the Maldives.[ citation needed ]
The Maldives was elected to the Human Rights Council in 2010 for the term 2010–2013, in which it has actively supported and contributed to the promotion and protection of human rights for all. It has co-sponsored a number of resolution establishing United Nations Special Mandates, and supported resolutions on improving human rights situation in the Middle East during the Arab Spring, namely on investigating human rights violations in Libya and Syria.[ citation needed ]
Maldives has especially close relations with Sri Lanka and India, countries with which it shares much culture.[ citation needed ]
Maldives became a member state of the United Nations on 21 September 1965. The nation became a member of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the same date.
The Maldives became a member of the following UN agencies and conferences on the following dates:
The United Nations Development Programme has a representative resident in Malé, as do UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO).
At the UN, the Maldives has highlighted the vulnerability of small states to various threats including terrorism, activities of mercenaries and transnational organized crime. It is also a strong advocate of counter-terrorism and is party to all the main UN conventions against terrorism. Development co-operation is a major priority of the Maldives and it has been campaigning at the UN for a more structured means of graduation from the list of least developed countries targeted for preferential assistance. The main donors to the Maldives are Japan, India, and Australia.
The Maldives became a member of Non-Aligned Movement on 15 August 1976.
The Maldives were a founder member in 1985 of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the nation plays a very active role in the association. It has taken the lead in calling for a South Asian Free Trade Agreement, the formulation of a Social Charter, the initiation of informal political consultations in SAARC forums, the lobbying for greater action on environmental issues, the proposal of numerous human rights measures such as the regional convention on child rights and for setting up a SAARC Human Rights Resource Centre. The Maldives is also an advocate of greater international profile for SAARC such as through formulating common positions at the UN.
The Maldives is a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and maintains close cultural relations with Islamic countries. However, the Maldives has often distanced itself from positions taken by the OIC on matters such as the Kashmir dispute, which it regards as a bilateral issue to be settled peacefully between India and Pakistan. It has also not supported the OIC position on issues such as that of Cyprus, subscribing instead to the international stance taken by the United Nations. The Maldives became a member of OIC in August 1974.
The Maldives joined the Commonwealth of Nations on 9 July 1982 as a special member and became a full member on 20 June 1985
The Maldives became a member of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) in September 1989, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) on 1 January 2000, the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC) in 1985, and the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) on 9 July 1982. [1]
The Maldives withdrew from the Commonwealth in October 2016. [2]
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the President of the Maldives and his Cabinet have decided that the Maldives will return to its membership of the Commonwealth, following in the footsteps of The Gambia under Adama Barrow's government, which returned to its membership of the Commonwealth on 8 February 2018. [3]
The Maldives returned to its membership of the Commonwealth on 1 February 2020. [4]
List of countries which the Maldives maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date [5] |
---|---|---|
1 | United Kingdom | 26 July 1965 |
2 | Sri Lanka | 26 July 1965 |
— | Israel (suspended) | 29 October 1965 |
3 | India | 1 November 1965 |
4 | United States | 10 November 1965 |
5 | Italy | 1966 |
6 | Germany | 5 July 1966 |
7 | Pakistan | 26 July 1966 |
8 | Russia | 14 September 1966 |
9 | South Korea | 30 November 1966 |
10 | Japan | 14 November 1967 |
11 | Malaysia | September 1968 [6] |
12 | Egypt | 12 February 1969 |
13 | France | 20 May 1969 |
14 | Myanmar | 12 October 1969 |
15 | North Korea | 14 June 1970 |
16 | Iraq | 15 September 1971 |
17 | China | 14 October 1972 |
18 | Australia | 25 January 1974 |
19 | Philippines | 12 July 1974 |
20 | Indonesia | 2 September 1974 |
21 | New Zealand | 10 October 1974 |
22 | Singapore | 20 February 1975 |
23 | Serbia | 1 March 1975 |
24 | Hungary | 24 May 1975 |
25 | Iran | 2 June 1975 |
26 | Vietnam | 20 June 1975 |
27 | Czech Republic | 19 October 1975 |
28 | Mexico | 15 November 1975 |
29 | Libya | 17 November 1975 |
30 | Cuba | 29 January 1977 |
31 | Belgium | 3 October 1977 |
32 | Kuwait | 1 December 1977 |
33 | Austria | 1 March 1978 |
34 | United Arab Emirates | 15 March 1978 |
35 | Sweden | 21 August 1978 |
36 | Bangladesh | 22 September 1978 |
37 | Turkey | 28 May 1979 |
38 | Thailand | 21 June 1979 |
39 | Spain | 25 August 1979 |
40 | Netherlands | 3 September 1979 |
41 | Romania | 1 November 1979 |
42 | Bahrain | 24 March 1980 |
43 | Seychelles | 1 July 1980 |
44 | Nepal | 1 August 1980 |
45 | Mali | 16 October 1980 |
46 | Syria | 1981 |
47 | Mauritius | 15 January 1981 |
48 | Senegal | 15 February 1981 |
49 | Oman | 20 February 1981 |
50 | Saudi Arabia | 17 March 1981 |
51 | Jordan | 25 March 1981 |
52 | Sudan | 10 June 1981 |
53 | Switzerland | 23 June 1981 |
54 | Canada | 14 December 1981 |
55 | Denmark | 8 November 1982 |
56 | Guinea | 8 April 1983 |
57 | Comoros | 20 July 1983 |
58 | Tunisia | 10 September 1983 |
59 | Greece | 17 September 1983 |
60 | Norway | 26 March 1984 |
61 | Brunei | 31 March 1984 |
62 | Qatar | 26 May 1984 |
63 | Bhutan | 13 July 1984 |
64 | Bulgaria | 14 August 1984 |
65 | Finland | 1 October 1984 |
66 | Poland | 1 October 1984 |
67 | Yemen | 1 November 1984 |
68 | Malta | 5 March 1985 |
69 | Mongolia | 6 November 1985 |
70 | Zimbabwe | 7 January 1987 |
71 | Chile | 1 March 1987 |
72 | Argentina | 14 May 1987 |
73 | Cyprus | 1 November 1987 |
74 | Vanuatu | 27 January 1988 |
75 | Morocco | 4 February 1988 |
76 | Lebanon | 25 February 1988 |
77 | Algeria | 8 March 1988 |
78 | Somalia | 10 March 1988 |
79 | Fiji | 15 March 1988 |
80 | Sierra Leone | 15 March 1988 |
81 | Luxembourg | 11 July 1988 |
82 | Tanzania | 11 August 1988 |
83 | Colombia | 22 August 1988 |
84 | Brazil | 27 September 1988 |
85 | Papua New Guinea | 22 December 1988 |
— | State of Palestine | 1988 [7] |
86 | Peru | 6 February 1989 |
87 | Nigeria | 1 March 1989 |
88 | Kiribati | 20 March 1989 |
89 | Gambia | 3 July 1989 |
90 | Panama | 10 July 1989 |
91 | Tonga | 1 August 1989 |
92 | Ghana | 10 August 1989 |
93 | Mauritania | 16 October 1989 |
94 | Solomon Islands | 18 October 1989 |
95 | Barbados | 30 November 1989 |
96 | Iceland | 30 January 1990 |
97 | Jamaica | 16 February 1990 |
98 | Namibia | 26 July 1990 |
99 | Venezuela | 1 November 1990 |
100 | Federated States of Micronesia | 24 October 1991 |
101 | Marshall Islands | 16 December 1991 |
102 | Turkmenistan | 25 September 1992 |
103 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993 |
104 | Guatemala | 27 January 1993 |
105 | Samoa | 2 August 1993 |
106 | Ukraine | 17 August 1993 |
107 | Kyrgyzstan | 31 August 1993 |
108 | Bahamas | 28 September 1993 |
109 | Tajikistan | 6 October 1993 |
110 | Uganda | 30 November 1993 |
111 | Belarus | 6 December 1993 |
112 | Estonia | 22 March 1994 |
113 | Guyana | 13 April 1994 |
114 | Latvia | 20 June 1994 |
115 | South Africa | 27 July 1994 |
116 | Uzbekistan | 7 December 1994 |
117 | Armenia | 10 January 1995 |
118 | Portugal | 9 February 1995 |
119 | Cambodia | 21 September 1995 |
120 | Kenya | 23 October 1995 |
121 | Mozambique | 27 November 1995 |
122 | Slovenia | 4 March 1996 |
123 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 27 January 1997 |
124 | Croatia | 8 April 1997 |
125 | Lithuania | 2 December 1999 |
126 | Ireland | 7 December 1999 |
127 | Belize | 11 February 2000 |
128 | Kazakhstan | 15 March 2000 |
129 | Nauru | 9 May 2000 |
130 | Grenada | 13 July 2000 |
131 | North Macedonia | 13 November 2000 |
132 | Monaco | 19 March 2001 |
133 | Antigua and Barbuda | 25 March 2002 |
134 | East Timor | 26 November 2002 |
135 | Cape Verde | 23 April 2003 |
136 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 27 May 2003 |
137 | Dominica | 21 July 2004 |
138 | Tuvalu | 14 March 2006 |
139 | Afghanistan | 17 March 2006 |
140 | Azerbaijan | 15 June 2006 |
141 | Gabon | 20 March 2008 |
142 | Djibouti | 7 April 2008 |
143 | Andorra | 19 May 2008 |
144 | Albania | 25 June 2008 |
145 | Suriname | 23 October 2008 |
146 | Uruguay | 24 February 2009 |
— | Kosovo | 15 April 2009 |
147 | Trinidad and Tobago | 24 November 2009 |
148 | Montenegro | 24 November 2009 |
149 | Georgia | 11 March 2010 |
150 | Dominican Republic | 17 March 2010 |
151 | Nicaragua | 11 May 2010 |
152 | Costa Rica | 21 September 2010 |
153 | Paraguay | 28 September 2010 |
154 | Liechtenstein | 21 January 2011 |
155 | Ecuador | 14 March 2011 |
156 | Benin | 16 September 2011 |
157 | Honduras | 13 October 2011 |
158 | Saint Lucia | 2 December 2011 |
159 | Burkina Faso | 29 December 2011 |
160 | Laos | 10 February 2012 |
161 | Moldova | 14 May 2012 |
162 | San Marino | 24 April 2014 |
163 | Palau | 17 October 2014 |
164 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 21 September 2016 |
165 | El Salvador | 19 September 2017 |
166 | Zambia | 1 April 2018 |
167 | Ivory Coast | 13 April 2018 |
168 | Republic of the Congo | 20 April 2018 |
169 | Equatorial Guinea | 21 May 2018 |
170 | Central African Republic | 24 May 2018 |
171 | Ethiopia | 6 August 2018 |
172 | Bolivia | 31 May 2019 |
173 | Rwanda | 6 September 2019 |
174 | Angola | 10 November 2020 |
175 | Eswatini | 15 December 2020 |
176 | Eritrea | 10 February 2021 |
177 | Lesotho | 29 March 2021 |
178 | Burundi | 20 January 2022 |
179 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 5 April 2022 |
180 | Guinea-Bissau | 23 September 2022 |
181 | Malawi | 24 September 2022 |
182 | Togo | 3 May 2023 |
183 | South Sudan | 4 May 2023 |
184 | Botswana | 11 December 2023 |
China and Maldives established diplomatic relations on 14 October 1972. Sino-Maldivian economic cooperation and trade volume were for long insignificant, with total trade in 2002 of only US$3 million. Economic ties have recently become more important with large inflows of Chinese tourists to the Maldives since 2010. [8] Capital inflows from China have also rapidly increased since 2008. China's main exports to Maldives are rice and consumer goods. [9] The relations between China and Maldives have increased in Mohamed Nasheed's presidential term. However, before being elected for president, Mohamed Nasheed criticized the Chinese Communist Party saying relations with Communist Chinese were never acceptable due to their views regarding modern democracy. However under president Yaameen, both countries have developed a close relations. Chinese investments and Aid to Maldives increased. Best example of China - Maldives raising relations is the Chinese-Maldives friendship bridge.
Mohamed Muizzu was the first president to visit China before India on 7/1/2024. During the state visit, the two countries agreed to develop an "Action Plan" for establishing a comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between China and Maldives from 2024 to 2028. Additionally, the two governments agreed to sign 20 MoUs. The Chinese research ship Xiang Yang Hong 03 docked in Male seaport on 8/2/2024. Survey ship is capable of both civilian research and military surveillance . it is located in strategic locations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of Maldives have been friendly and close in strategic, economic and military cooperation. [10] [11] India contributed to maintaining security on the island nation and has forged an alliance with respect to its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. [11] [12]
India and Maldives officially and amicably decided their maritime boundary in 1976, [11] although a minor diplomatic incident occurred in 1982 when the brother of the President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom declared that the neighbouring Minicoy Island that belonged to India were a part of Maldives; Maldivies quickly and officially denied that it was laying claim to the island. [11] India and Maldives signed a comprehensive trade agreement in 1981. [13] Both nations are founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the South Asian Economic Union and signatories to the South Asia Free Trade Agreement. Indian and Maldivian leaders have maintained high-level contacts and consultations on regional issues. [10] Diplomatic relations between Maldives and India were established on 1 November 1965.43
The relations faced a strain in January 2024 due to derogatory remarks by Maldivian officials and concerns over racism, targeted towards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as India, triggering the 2024 India-Maldives diplomatic row . [14]
This was seen very negatively in India, with citizens calling for a boycott of vacations in Maldives, with many renowned Bollywood actors and personalities criticising the Maldivian government. This also led to the death of a young Maldivian teenager, [15] who had to be taken to India via an air ambulance, after the request at the last minute was denied by Maldivian authorities due to the ongoing tensions against the country. [16]
The Malaysian High Commission in Colombo is also cross-accredited to the Maldives, [17] and Maldives has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur. [18]
Maldives and Myanmar established diplomatic relations on 15 January 1970.40 In September 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives announced that it was ceasing all trade ties with Myanmar in response to the government's treatment of the Rohingya people in Rakhine State. [19]
In November 2004, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited the Maldives and met with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Aziz offered to extend credit facility, scholarships, collaboration in scientific and technological fields and training of civil servants, defence and security personnel to Maldives. [20] In October 2005, Pakistan-Maldives Joint Economic Commission commenced. [21]
The establishment of diplomatic relations of Maldives and South Korea were on 30 November 1967 and Bilateral Trade in 2012 was Exports $3.67 million Imports $380 thousand. [22]
Official and economic relations between the neighbouring Indian Ocean countries of the Maldives and Sri Lanka, have been positive since the Maldives became independent in 1965. The Maldives first established a mission in Sri Lanka in July 1965, and today has a High Commission in Colombo. [23] Sri Lanka has a high commission in Malé. [24] Both countries were founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in December 1985. [25] On 13 February 2014 Zahiya Zareer was appointed by President Abdulla Yameen as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. [26]
The Maldives has an embassy in Bangkok and Thailand is accredited to the Maldives via its embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka
The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1965 and suspended them in 1974. [27]
In 2009, under president Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives signed cooperation agreements with Israel on tourism, health, and education and culture. [28] In 2010, the Israeli government sent a team of eye doctors to treat patients and train local medical personnel in the Maldives. [29] However, the renewed relationship did not develop into full diplomatic relations. [29] [30]
In July 2014, under president Abdulla Yameen, the Maldives terminated the cooperation agreements with Israel and announced a boycott of Israeli products, as Israel launched a military operation in Gaza. Foreign minister Dunya Maumoon also announced that the Maldives would fully support Palestinians at international forums such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and offer them humanitarian aid. [31]
On 12 May 2008, the Maldivian embassy was opened in Riyadh which was the first Maldivian mission in the Middle East.42
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 May 1979. [32] [33]
Both the Maldives and Mauritius were former British Indian Ocean possessions, and both now have similar tourist-oriented economies. [34] Relations between the two islands are friendly, and there is some economic cooperation. [35]
The Maldives established diplomatic relations with the United States on 10 November 1965 and the two nations maintain friendly relations.
he United States supports Maldivian independence and territorial integrity, and publicly endorsed India's timely intervention on behalf of the Maldivian Government during the 1988 Maldives coup d'état attempt. U.S. Navy vessels have regularly called at Malé in recent years. The Maldives extended strong support to U.S. efforts to combat terrorism and terrorist financing in 2001–2002.
Finland recognized the Maldives on 15 October 1965. Diplomatic relations between Maldives and Finland were established on 10 August 1984.
The Maldives and the Federal Republic of Germany established diplomatic relations in 1966. [38]
The Maldives recognized Kosovo on 19 February 2009. [40] On 16 April 2009, Kosovo and the Maldives established diplomatic relations with one another. [41]
On 7 March, the then Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed asked police to investigate the allegations of a US$2 million bribe given to Maldivian government officials to recognise Kosovo as an independent state. [42] On 17 March, People's Majlis National Security Committee launched probe into Islamic Democratic Party's allegations regarding the bribery. [43] Balkan Insight reported that Kosovo businessman, Behgjet Pacolli, who also heads the New Kosovo Alliance party, has denied any involvement in the bribery case and stated that he only lobbied for the recognition of Kosovo. [44] Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed was cross-examined by the parliamentary committee on 28 March. [45] The police investigation was closed on 6 May 2009, concluding that there was no evidence of corruption and the diplomatic process was conducted according to international standards; the NSC investigation was suspended. [46]
The Maldives became a British Protectorate in the 19th century and the Maldivian monarchs were granted a good measure of self-governance. The Maldives gained full independence from Britain in 1965. [47] The maritime border with the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) remains undemarcated, with negotiations with the UK being broken off by the Maldives in the late 1990s. [48] [49]
The following is a list of the current Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the Maldives with their assigned host country:- [50]
Host Country | High Commissioner | Website |
---|---|---|
Bangladesh | Shiuneen Rasheed | - |
India | Ibrahim Shaheeb | Website |
Malaysia | Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed | Website |
Pakistan | Mohamed Thoha | Website |
Singapore | Mohamed Luveiz | Website |
Sri Lanka | Omar Abdul Razzak | Website |
United Kingdom | Iruthisham Adam | Website |
Host Country | Ambassador | Embassy Website |
---|---|---|
Belgium | Geela Ali | Website |
China | Huda Ali Shareef (chargé d'affaires) | Website |
Germany | Aishath Shaan Shakir | - |
Japan | Hassan Sobir | Website |
Saudi Arabia | Adam Hassan | - |
Switzerland | Iruthisham Adam | - |
Turkey | Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef | - |
United Arab Emirates | Mohamed Hussain Shareef | - |
United States | Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed | Website |
Host Country | Ambassador | Residency |
---|---|---|
Denmark | Farahanaz Faisal | United Kingdom |
Egypt | Adam Hassan | Saudi Arabia |
Finland | Farahanaz Faisal | United Kingdom |
France | Farahanaz Faisal | United Kingdom |
Italy | Iruthisham Adam | Switzerland |
Lebanon | Adam Hassan | Saudi Arabia |
Libya | Adam Hassan | Saudi Arabia |
Luxembourg | Ali Hussain Didi | Belgium |
Netherlands | Ali Hussain Didi | Belgium |
Norway | Farahanaz Faisal | United Kingdom |
Palestine | Farahanaz Faisal | United Kingdom |
Russia | Ahmed Latheef | Germany |
Spain | Farahanaz Faisal | United Kingdom |
Sweden | Ahmed Latheef | Germany |
Syria | Adam Hassan | Saudi Arabia |
Turkey | Iruthisham Adam | Switzerland |
Organization / Post | Ambassador | Office Website |
---|---|---|
United Nations (New York) | [Ali Naseer Mohamed] | Website |
United Nations Office (Geneva) | Salma Shareef | Website |
European Union (Brussels) | Geela Ali | Website |
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (Jeddah) | Adam Hassan | - |
World Trade Organization (Geneva) | Asim Ahmed | - |
India, officially the Republic of India, has full diplomatic relations with 201 states, including Palestine, the Holy See, and Niue. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the government agency responsible for the conduct of foreign relations of India. With the world's third largest military expenditure, second largest armed force, fifth largest economy by GDP nominal rates and third largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, India is a prominent regional power and a potential superpower.
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan emerged as an independent country through the partition of India in August 1947 and was admitted as a United Nations member state in September 1947. It is currently the second-largest country within the Muslim world in terms of population, and is also the only Muslim-majority country in possession of nuclear weapons. De facto, the country shares direct land borders with India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China.
The foreign relations of Bangladesh are Bangladesh's relationships with foreign countries. The Government of Bangladesh's policies pursue a moderate foreign policy that heavily relies on multilateral diplomacy, especially at the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh has stressed its principle of "Friendship towards all, malice towards none" in dictating its diplomacy. As a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, Bangladesh has tended to not take sides with major powers. Since the end of the Cold War, Bangladesh has pursued better relations with its neighbours and other nearby states.
Foreign relations of Israel refers to diplomatic and trade relations between Israel and other countries around the world. Israel has diplomatic ties with 165 of the other 192 UN member states as of 12 December 2020. Israel is a member of the United Nations (UN) and a number of other international organisations. Israel maintains full diplomatic relations with two of its Arab neighbours, Egypt and Jordan, after signing peace treaties in 1979 and 1994 respectively. In 2020, Israel signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations with three Arab League countries, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco. As of 2021, Israel had formal diplomatic relations with 168 other countries, while twenty-eight UN member states have either never established, or have broken off diplomatic relations with Israel.
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is a Maldivian statesman, diplomat and scholar who served as the 3rd president of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. He previously served as the Minister of Transport from 1977 to 1978, and as the Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations from 1976 to 1977. After serving six presidential terms, Gayoom became the longest serving president in Asia.
Foreign relations of Sri Lanka refers to the diplomatic and commercial relations between Sri Lanka and other countries. Sri Lanka has stressed its principle of "friendship towards all, enmity towards none" in its diplomacy.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAARC comprises 3% of the world's land area, 21% of the world's population and 5.21% of the global economy, as of 2021.
Ahmed Shaheed is a Maldivian diplomat, politician and professor. On 24 March 2016, he was appointed for the sixth year running as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Shaheed is also the Chairperson of the Geneva-based international human rights think-tank, Universal Rights Group, which was launched in January 2014. He now lives in England as a Professor of Human Rights Practice at the University of Essex. Shaheed is also a Senior Fellow at Raoul Wallenberg Human Rights Centre and a Fellow at the Bonavero Institute of Human rights at the University of Oxford.
India and Maldives are neighbours sharing a maritime border. India continues to contribute to maintaining security as well as providing financial aid on the island nation.
Maldives–Pakistan relations are the foreign relations between Pakistan and the Maldives.
Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, or official and economic relations between the neighbouring Indian Ocean countries of the Maldives and Sri Lanka, have been positive since the Maldives became independent in 1965. The Maldives first established a mission in Sri Lanka in July 1965, and today has a High Commission in Colombo. Sri Lanka has a High Commission in Malé. Both countries were founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in December 1985.
Israel–Maldives relations refer to foreign relations between Israel and the Maldives. The countries had diplomatic relations from 1965 to 1974. From 2012 to 2017, they maintained cooperation agreements, but did not restore full diplomatic relations. In 2024, the Maldives banned Israeli passport holders from entering the nation due to the Israeli government's conduct in the Israel–Hamas war.
Denmark – Sri Lanka relations refers to the current and historical relations between Denmark and Sri Lanka. Denmark is represented in Sri Lanka through its embassy in New Delhi, India. Sri Lanka is represented in Denmark through its embassy Oslo, Norway. Bilateral relations are described as warm for a long time. About 13,000 immigrants from Sri Lanka live in Denmark. President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga visited Denmark in March 1995.
Indonesia and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations on 6 August 1952. Both nations share some cultural similarities. Indonesia and Sri Lanka are members of numerous organizations such as the World Trade Organization and Indian-Ocean Rim Association. They are also founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement. Indonesia has an embassy in Colombo, while Sri Lanka has an embassy in Jakarta.
Diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Maldives were established in 1972. China has an embassy in Malé which opened in November 2011, and the Maldives has an embassy in Beijing which opened in 2009. Approximately 70 percent of the Maldives' total debt is attributed to Chinese projects, with an annual payment of US$92 million to China, constituting around 10 percent of the country's entire budget. China has become pervasive in the Maldives, exerting influence over infrastructure, trade, and energy sectors, raising concerns of a new form of Chinese entrapment.
Malaysia–Maldives relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between Malaysia and Maazin. Malaysia's High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka is also accredited to the Maldives, and Maldives has a High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
The foreign policy of the Modi government, also referred to as the Modi doctrine is associated with the policy initiatives made towards other states by the current government of India after Narendra Modi assumed the office of prime minister on May 26, 2014.
Neighbourhood First Policy of India is a core component of India's foreign policy. It focuses on peaceful relations and collaborative synergetic co-development with its South Asian neighbours of the Indian subcontinent encompassing a diverse range of topics, such as economics, technology, research, education, connectivity, space program, defence security, environment and climate challenge. This policy creates new avenues as well as leverages to the existing regional cooperation initiatives such as SAARC, SASEC, BBIN, and BIMSTEC. It compliments India's Look East policy focused on Southeast Asia and Look West Policy focused on Middle East.
Maldives–Turkey relations are the foreign relations between the Maldives and the Turkey. The diplomatic relations were established in 1979. The Turkish Embassy in New Delhi, India is accredited to the Maldives and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva is accredited to Turkey. The two countries have good relations between them mostly in the areas of tourism and defence, while being in close cooperation with one another on international platforms including the United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
The High Commission of the Maldives in Sri Lanka is an overseas embassy of the Maldives located in Colombo, the former capital and largest city in Sri Lanka.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives released a statement on Sept. 3 saying that all trade ties between Myanmar and Maldives has been cut out as long as Myanmar government takes actions for the deeds committed towards Bengalis.
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