President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has expressed concerns over the United Kingdom's (UK) decision to hand over the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius and has invited the Prime Minister of the UK Andrew Burnham to the Maldives to have an open dialogue about the Chagos islands.

As Mauritius won the case regarding ownership of Chagos that was filed to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the British government decided to hand over the archipelago to Mauritius. UK Prime Minister Burnham has announced that while enforcement of the decision has been at a standstill, they are now working to move forward with the decision.

According to the President's Office earlier today in regards to Chagos, President Muizzu sent a letter to Prime Minister Burnham, inviting him to Maldives to hold a formal discussion on the matter.

In the letter, the President expressed concern over the UK's decision in handing over Chagos to Mauritius.

"The President highlights the shared history and cultural ties between Maldives and Chagos. The President also highlighted Maldives' long-term support in expansive marine conservation scientific research expeditions," as per the President's Office website.

The President said in the letter to the UK Prime Minister that Maldives wishes to maintain a trustworthy and constructive partnership, along with protecting the interests of Maldives.

President Muizzu's letter states the importance of meaningful dialogue between Maldives and the UK regarding the sovereignty of Chagos.

In March 2026, the Maldivian government stated that it will not recognize the agreement being drafted by the British government to hand over the islands of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, and expressed hope that the United Kingdom will provide a fair opportunity for the Maldives' voice to be heard in this matter.

After colonizing Mauritius, the British granted it independence in 1970 only after Mauritius agreed to let the UK retain control over the Chagos islands. Consequently, people were forcibly removed from the Chagos islands at that time.

Mauritius took the Chagos issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2018. In 2019, the court issued an advisory opinion stating that sovereign power over Chagos belongs to Mauritius.

After initially refusing to accept that decision, the United Kingdom agreed last year to return Chagos to Mauritius. However, the UK set a condition for Mauritius to lease Diego Garcia, where a powerful US military base is currently operated, for an additional 99 years.