Maldives–United Kingdom relations

Maldives–United Kingdom relations

Maldives	United Kingdom
Diplomatic mission
High Commission of the Maldives, London	High Commission of the United Kingdom, Male
Envoy
High Commissioner Ahmed Shiaan	High Commissioner Nick Low

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at COP29 in Baku, November 2024.

The Maldives–United Kingdom relations encompass the diplomatic, economic, and historical interactions between the Republic of Maldives and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Upon the Maldives' independence, the two countries established diplomatic relations on 26 July 1965. ^[1]

Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization. Both countries are currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. ^[2]

History

The Maldives were a protectorate of the United Kingdom from 1887 until 1968, three years after it became independent. ^[3]

The maritime border with the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) remains undemarcated, with negotiations with the U.K. being broken off by the Maldives in the late 1990s. ^{[4] [5]}

Economic relations

The Maldives and the United Kingdom have opened prelimary discussion for a free trade agreement. ^{[6] [7]}

Resident diplomatic missions

• The Maldives maintains a high commission in London. ^[8]
• The United Kingdom is accredited to the Maldives through its high commission in Malé. ^[9]

See also

• British protectorate
• Free trade agreements of the United Kingdom
• Foreign relations of the Maldives
• Foreign relations of the United Kingdom
• History of the Maldives

References

1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives (11 July 2025). "President departs for the United Kingdom for high-level meetings and engagements". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives (Press release). Archived from the original on 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
2. Mereghetti, Matilde (15 July 2023). "Maldives tuna firms optimistic FTA deals with UK, EU will boost exports" . Undercurrent News. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
3. "SOUTH ASIA :: MALDIVES". CIA: Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
4. "Maldives defends UN vote on Chagos Islands dispute". 23 May 2019.
5. "Chagos Islands dispute: Maldives votes "no" to end UK control".
6. GOV.UK (10 May 2023). "UK launches process to negotiate trade deal with the Republic of Maldives". GOV.UK (Press release). Archived from the original on 8 June 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
7. Mereghetti, Matilde (15 July 2023). "Maldives tuna firms optimistic FTA deals with UK, EU will boost exports" . Undercurrent News. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
8. Diplomat Magazine (31 March 2020). "Maldives". Diplomat Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
9. "British High Commission Malé". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 2 August 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.