Maldives is ready to mediate discussions to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said today.

Speaking at the official Independence Day ceremony held this morning, President Muizzu said the Maldives is a member of several international organizations, including SAARC, which was established through the initiative of seven founding countries, including the Maldives.

He said SAARC has brought significant benefits to South Asia but expressed concern that the organization's activities have remained inactive for nearly nine years.

President Muizzu said it is important for SAARC to resume its work, adding that the Maldives' foreign policy is based on resolving differences through dialogue and finding solutions that benefit all parties.

"Since our foreign policy is based on bringing differences to the same table through dialogue and resolving issues in a way that benefits everyone, it is important for SAARC to become operational again," he said.

President Muizzu called for SAARC leaders to hold a summit to restart the organization's activities.

He urged countries with differing positions to prioritize friendship and cooperation for the development of the region.

"If it is difficult to do that, this country is here to take the initiative and even be a mediator to continue those talks and make SAARC operational again," President Muizzu said.

SAARC activities stalled after the 19th summit, which was scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2016, was cancelled. The summit was called off after several member states, including India and Maldives, decided to boycott the summit following a terrorist attack on an Indian military camp near the India-Pakistan border.

Since then, Pakistan's efforts to convene a summit have not received support from several SAARC member countries.