Political differences cannot be resolved through violence, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said in his Independence Day address, stressing that the Maldives will continue to prioritize peace in its domestic and foreign policies.
Speaking at the official ceremony marking the country's 61st Independence Day, President Muizzu said the government's foreign policy is guided by a "Maldives First" approach.
He criticized previous administrations, saying they had allowed the country's foreign policy to be influenced by external powers.
"Simply put, a puppet government that is overly compliant or subservient to foreign influence is not good for this country," he said.
President Muizzu said the Maldives would maintain relations with all countries except Israel.
He said the Maldives' position was based on its support for the Palestinian people and its opposition to atrocities and ethnic cleansing carried out by Israeli forces in Gaza.
The President noted that the government has banned Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives, ending a policy under which Israeli tourists had previously been permitted to visit.
He also accused previous governments, particularly those led by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), of pursuing a "pro-Israel" foreign policy and distancing the Maldives from Arab and Islamic countries.
Addressing global conflicts, President Muizzu said the Maldivian people reject violence and war, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
"We will always put peace first. This is a peace loving country. Therefore, we will always call for peaceful solutions," he said.
"Differences of opinion may arise. But if differences are resolved by the sword and the gun, there will be no solution. That is the thinking of this government."
The President also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation through the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
He noted that SAARC's activities have remained largely inactive for the past nine years and said reviving the organization is important for regional stability.
President Muizzu said the Maldives is ready to take a leading role in efforts to resume SAARC's work.
