Maldivian government has objected to the transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius and has requested discussions with the British government on the matter, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said today.
Delivering his presidential address at the opening of Parliament, President Muizzu said historical evidence shows that Chagos forms part of the sovereignty of the Maldivian state.
He said there are historical documents linking the Chagos Archipelago to Maldivian fishing culture, noting that Maldivian fishermen have traditionally fished in the area.
“The Government of Maldives submitted written representations to the United Kingdom on 8 November 2024 and 18 January 2026, formally objecting to the UK’s decision to cede ownership of Chagos to Mauritius,” the President said.
This marks the first official confirmation this year that the Maldives has sent formal written submissions to the UK government regarding the Chagos issue.
President Muizzu said he raised the matter during an online call with UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy on 15 December 2025, during which he expressed the Maldives’ willingness to engage in discussions with the British government.
The President said Maldivian concerns over Chagos sovereignty have been consistently raised in international forums. He added that the Maldives has also conveyed its concerns to Mauritius and international environmental bodies regarding the potential economic and fisheries-related impact of policies Mauritius may implement in the Chagos exclusive economic zone.
In 2019, Mauritius sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ruled that Britain’s administration of the Chagos Archipelago was contrary to international law and that Mauritius should be granted sovereignty. While the ruling was non-binding, the UK later shifted its position following sustained pressure from the United Nations General Assembly, which passed multiple resolutions supporting Mauritius’ claim.
Subsequently, Mauritius filed a case with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), seeking delimitation of the maritime boundary between Maldives and Mauritius based on the ICJ’s advisory opinion.
The Maldives raised a preliminary objection at ITLOS, arguing that Mauritius lacked jurisdiction to pursue maritime delimitation as Chagos remained a British territory at the time. However, ITLOS rejected the objection and proceeded with the case, relying on the ICJ’s advisory opinion.
The disputed maritime area between the Maldives and Mauritius covered approximately 95,000 square kilometres. Applying a 200-nautical-mile entitlement for each country, the tribunal divided the area, allocating 47,232 square kilometres to the Maldives and 45,331 square kilometres to Mauritius.
President Muizzu said this outcome amounted to a loss of Maldivian maritime territory, attributing it to negligence by the previous administration and a letter sent by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to Mauritius during the dispute. He said the current government is committed to reclaiming the lost maritime area.
The President also announced that a presidential commission of inquiry has been established to investigate the actions of officials involved in defending Maldives’ interests in the Chagos case.
President Muizzu confirmed that former president Solih’s letter to the Prime Minister of Mauritius has been formally withdrawn. He further announced that the Maldives’ exclusive economic zone remains as defined under Maldivian law, including the disputed waters.
