Foreign relations of the Maldives
Vice President of the MaldivesHussain Mohamed Latheef People's Majlis Speaker Abdul Raheem AbdullaDeputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim Presidential elections Parliamentary elections Referendums Others Minister Moosa Zameer The Maldives has remained an independent nation throughout its recorded history, save for a brief spell of Portuguese occupation in the mid-16th century.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[25] On 13 February 2014 Zahiya Zareer was appointed by President Abdulla Yameen as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
[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.
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.
[42] On 17 March, People's Majlis National Security Committee launched probe into Islamic Democratic Party's allegations regarding the bribery.
[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.
