Foreign relations 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 1887 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 the transition towards a liberal democracy, the Maldives has successfully established dialogue and collaboration with the 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 maintain resident diplomatic missions in Colombo, New Delhi, Islamabad, Dhaka, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, New York, Tokyo, Beijing, Riyadh, London, Geneva, and the European Union, and non-resident accreditation in a number of countries including Nepal and Bhutan.

Key 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.

Hillary Clinton receives foreign minister Naseem Secretary Clinton Speaks With Maldivian Foreign Minister Naseem (5934554131).jpg
Hillary Clinton receives foreign minister Naseem

Human rights

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 ]

International organizations

United Nations

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.

Other intergovernmental organizations

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 and the Commonwealth of Nations

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]

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which the Maldives maintains diplomatic relations with:

Diplomatic relations of Maldives.svg
#CountryDate [5]
1Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 26 July 1965
2Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 26 July 1965
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel (suspended)29 October 1965
3Flag of India.svg  India 1 November 1965
4Flag of the United States.svg  United States 10 November 1965
5Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 1966
6Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 5 July 1966
7Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 26 July 1966
8Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 14 September 1966
9Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 30 November 1966
10Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 14 November 1967
11Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 1968
12Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 12 February 1969
13Flag of France.svg  France 20 May 1969
14Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar 12 October 1969
15Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 14 June 1970
16Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 15 September 1971
17Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 14 October 1972
18Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 25 January 1974
19Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 12 July 1974
20Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 2 September 1974
21Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 10 October 1974
22Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 20 February 1975
23Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 1 March 1975
24Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 24 May 1975
25Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 2 June 1975
26Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 20 June 1975
27Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 19 October 1975
28Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 15 November 1975
29Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 17 November 1975
30Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 29 January 1977
31Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 3 October 1977
32Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 1 December 1977
33Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 1 March 1978
34Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 15 March 1978
35Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 21 August 1978
36Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 22 September 1978
37Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 28 May 1979
38Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 21 June 1979
39Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 25 August 1979
40Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 3 September 1979
41Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 1 November 1979
42Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 24 March 1980
43Flag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles 1 July 1980
44Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 1 August 1980
45Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 16 October 1980
46Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 1981
47Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius 15 January 1981
48Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 15 February 1981
49Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 20 February 1981
50Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 17 March 1981
51Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 25 March 1981
52Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 10 June 1981
53Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 23 June 1981
54Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 14 December 1981
Flag of Palestine.svg  State of Palestine 4 April 1982
55Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 8 November 1982
56Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 8 April 1983
57Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 20 July 1983
58Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 10 September 1983
59Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 17 September 1983
60Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 26 March 1984
61Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei 31 March 1984
62Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 26 May 1984
63Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan 13 July 1984
64Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 14 August 1984
65Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 1 October 1984
66Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 1 October 1984
67Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 1 November 1984
68Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 5 March 1985
69Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia 6 November 1985
70Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 7 January 1987
71Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 1 March 1987
72Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 14 May 1987
73Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 1 November 1987
74Flag of Vanuatu.svg  Vanuatu 27 January 1988
75Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 4 February 1988
76Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 25 February 1988
77Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 8 March 1988
78Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 10 March 1988
79Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 15 March 1988
80Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone 15 March 1988
81Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 11 July 1988
82Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 11 August 1988
83Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 22 August 1988
84Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 27 September 1988
85Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 22 December 1988
86Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 6 February 1989
87Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 1 March 1989
88Flag of Kiribati.svg  Kiribati 20 March 1989
89Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 3 July 1989
90Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 10 July 1989
91Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 1 August 1989
92Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 10 August 1989
93Flag of Mauritania.svg  Mauritania 16 October 1989
94Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg  Solomon Islands 18 October 1989
95Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados 30 November 1989
96Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 30 January 1990
97Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 16 February 1990
98Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 26 July 1990
99Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela 1 November 1990
100Flag of the Federated States of Micronesia.svg  Federated States of Micronesia 24 October 1991
101Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg  Marshall Islands 16 December 1991
102Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 25 September 1992
103Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 1 January 1993
104Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 27 January 1993
105Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 2 August 1993
106Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 17 August 1993
107Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg  Kyrgyzstan 31 August 1993
108Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas 28 September 1993
109Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan 6 October 1993
110Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 30 November 1993
111Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 6 December 1993
112Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 22 March 1994
113Flag of Guyana.svg  Guyana 13 April 1994
114Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 20 June 1994
115Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 27 July 1994
116Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 7 December 1994
117Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 10 January 1995
118Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 9 February 1995
119Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 21 September 1995
120Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 23 October 1995
121Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 27 November 1995
122Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 4 March 1996
123Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 27 January 1997
124Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 8 April 1997
125Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 2 December 1999
126Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 7 December 1999
127Flag of Belize.svg  Belize 11 February 2000
128Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 15 March 2000
129Flag of Nauru.svg  Nauru 9 May 2000
130Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada 13 July 2000
131Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 13 November 2000
132Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco 19 March 2001
133Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg  Antigua and Barbuda 25 March 2002
134Flag of East Timor.svg  East Timor 26 November 2002
135Flag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 23 April 2003
136Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 27 May 2003
137Flag of Dominica.svg  Dominica 21 July 2004
138Flag of Tuvalu.svg  Tuvalu 14 March 2006
139Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan 17 March 2006
140Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 15 June 2006
141Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 20 March 2008
142Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti 7 April 2008
143Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 19 May 2008
144Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 25 June 2008
145Flag of Suriname.svg  Suriname 23 October 2008
146Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 24 February 2009
Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo 15 April 2009
147Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 24 November 2009
148Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 24 November 2009
149Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 11 March 2010
150Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 17 March 2010
151Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 11 May 2010
152Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 21 September 2010
153Flag of Paraguay.svg  Paraguay 28 September 2010
154Flag of Liechtenstein.svg  Liechtenstein 21 January 2011
155Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 14 March 2011
156Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 16 September 2011
157Flag of Honduras.svg  Honduras 13 October 2011
158Flag of Saint Lucia.svg  Saint Lucia 2 December 2011
159Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 29 December 2011
160Flag of Laos.svg  Laos 10 February 2012
161Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 14 May 2012
162Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino 24 April 2014
163Flag of Palau.svg  Palau 17 October 2014
164Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg  Saint Kitts and Nevis 21 September 2016
165Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador 19 September 2017
166Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 1 April 2018
167Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 13 April 2018
168Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Republic of the Congo 20 April 2018
169Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 21 May 2018
170Flag of the Central African Republic.svg  Central African Republic 24 May 2018
171Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 6 August 2018
172Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg  Bolivia 31 May 2019
173Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 6 September 2019
174Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 10 November 2020
175Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 15 December 2020
176Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 10 February 2021
177Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 29 March 2021
178Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 20 January 2022
179Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe 5 April 2022
180Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau 23 September 2022
181Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 24 September 2022
182Flag of Togo.svg  Togo 3 May 2023
183Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan 4 May 2023
184Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 11 December 2023 [6]

Bilateral relations

Asia

China

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. [7] Capital inflows from China have also rapidly increased since 2008. China's main exports to Maldives are rice and consumer goods. [8] 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).

India

Bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of Maldives have been friendly and close in strategic, economic and military cooperation. [9] [10] India contributed to maintaining security on the island nation and has forged an alliance with respect to its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean. [10] [11]

India and Maldives officially and amicably decided their maritime boundary in 1976, [10] 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. [10] India and Maldives signed a comprehensive trade agreement in 1981. [12] 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. [9] 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 . [13]

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, [14] 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. [15]

Malaysia

The Malaysian High Commission in Colombo is also cross-accredited to the Maldives, [16] and Maldives has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur. [17]

Myanmar

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. [18]

Pakistan

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. [19] In October 2005, Pakistan-Maldives Joint Economic Commission commenced. [20]

South Korea

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. [21]

Sri Lanka

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. [22] Sri Lanka has a high commission in Malé. [23] Both countries were founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in December 1985. [24] On 13 February 2014 Zahiya Zareer was appointed by President Abdulla Yameen as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. [25]

The Maldives has an embassy in Bangkok and Thailand is accredited to the Maldives via its embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Middle East

Israel

The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1965 and suspended them in 1974. [26]

In 2009, under president Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives signed cooperation agreements with Israel on tourism, health, and education and culture. [27] In 2010, the Israeli government sent a team of eye doctors to treat patients and train local medical personnel in the Maldives. [28] However, the renewed relationship did not develop into full diplomatic relations. [28] [29]

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. [30]

Saudi Arabia

On 12 May 2008, the Maldivian embassy was opened in Riyadh which was the first Maldivian mission in the Middle East.42

Turkey

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 May 1979. [31] [32]

Africa

Mauritius

Both the Maldives and Mauritius were former British Indian Ocean possessions, and both now have similar tourist-oriented economies. [33] Relations between the two islands are friendly, and there is some economic cooperation. [34]

North and South America

United States

U.S. President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed in 2009 Mohamed Nasheed with Obamas.jpg
U.S. President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed in 2009

The Maldives established diplomatic relations with the United States on 10 November 1965 and the two nations maintain friendly relations.

The U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka, based in the U.S. embassy in Colombo, is also cross-accredited to the Maldives, and the ambassador and embassy staff make periodic visits. The 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.

Europe

Cyprus

Finland

Finland recognized the Maldives on 15 October 1965. Diplomatic relations between Maldives and Finland were established on 10 August 1984.

Germany

The Maldives and the Federal Republic of Germany established diplomatic relations in 1966. [37]

Greece

  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 December 1983. [32]
  • Greece is represented in Sri Lanka by ts embassy in New Delhi, India. [38]
  • Maldives have an honorary consulate in Athens. [38]

Kosovo

The Maldives recognized Kosovo on 19 February 2009. [39] On 16 April 2009, Kosovo and the Maldives established diplomatic relations with one another. [40]

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. [41] On 17 March, People's Majlis National Security Committee launched probe into Islamic Democratic Party's allegations regarding the bribery. [42] 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. [43] Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed was cross-examined by the parliamentary committee on 28 March. [44] 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. [45]

United Kingdom

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 total independence in 1965. [46] 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. [47] [48]

Embassies and High Commissions of the Maldives

The following is a list of the current Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the Maldives with their assigned host country:- [49]

High Commissions
Host CountryHigh CommissionerWebsite
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh Ahmed Sameer-
Flag of India.svg  India Ahmed Mohamed Website
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia Visam Ali Website
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan Aishath Shahenaz Adam Website
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore Mohamed Khaleel Website
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka Omar Abdul Razzak Website
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Ahmed Shiaan Website
Embassies
Host CountryAmbassadorEmbassy Website
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium Ali Hussain Didi Website
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Aishath Azeema
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Ahmed Latheef
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Ahmed Khaleel Website
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Adam Hassan-
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Iruthisham Adam-
Consulates in a non-resident capacity [50]
Host CountryAmbassadorResidency
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Farahanaz Faisal Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt Adam HassanFlag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Farahanaz FaisalFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Flag of France.svg  France Farahanaz FaisalFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Iruthisham AdamFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon Adam HassanFlag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Flag of Libya.svg  Libya Adam HassanFlag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg Ali Hussain DidiFlag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Ali Hussain DidiFlag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Farahanaz FaisalFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine Farahanaz FaisalFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Ahmed LatheefFlag of Germany.svg  Germany
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Farahanaz FaisalFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Ahmed LatheefFlag of Germany.svg  Germany
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria Adam HassanFlag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey Iruthisham AdamFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Representatives to International Organizations
Organization / PostAmbassadorOffice Website
Flag of the United Nations.svg United Nations (New York)Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed Website
Flag of the United Nations.svg United Nations Office (Geneva)Iruthisham Adam Website
Flag of Europe.svg European Union (Brussels)Ali Hussain Didi Website
OIC Logo since 2011.svg Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (Jeddah)Adam Hassan-
Flag of the United Nations.svg World Trade Organization (Geneva)Iruthisham Adam-

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Sri Lanka</span> Diplomatic and commercial relations between Sri Lanka and other countries

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation</span> Regional intergovernmental and geopolitical organisation

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahmed Shaheed</span> Un Special Rapporteur

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">India–Maldives relations</span> Bilateral relations

India and Maldives are neighbours sharing a maritime border. Relations have been friendly and close in strategic, economic and military cooperation. India continues to contribute to maintaining security as well as providing financial aid on the island nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldives–Pakistan relations</span> Bilateral relations

Maldives–Pakistan relations are the foreign relations between Pakistan and the Maldives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldives–Sri Lanka relations</span> Bilateral relations

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Maldives relations</span> Bilateral relations

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China–Maldives relations</span> Bilateral relations

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 $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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysia–Maldives relations</span> Bilateral relations

Malaysia–Maldives relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between Malaysia and the Maldives. 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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Asian foreign policy of the Narendra Modi government</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldives–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

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.

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