Foreign relations of the Maldives

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Politics of the Maldives
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The Maldives has remained an independent nation throughout its recorded history, save for a brief spell of Portuguese occupation in the mid-16th century. From 1887 to 1965, the country was a British protectorate while retaining full internal sovereignty. At its independence in 1965, the Maldives joined the United Nations on 20 September.

Since 1978, the Maldives has followed a policy of international engagement, intensifying links with strategic partners and the international system. It joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1982. A founder member of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Maldives is also a member of the Bretton Woods system. It is also party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as well as numerous conventions on the protection of the environment, the suppression of terrorism, disarmament and on the promotion and protection of human rights.

In the transition towards a liberal democracy, the Maldives has successfully established dialogue and collaboration with the international human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and acceded to numerous human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). 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 maintain resident diplomatic missions in Colombo, New Delhi, Islamabad, Dhaka, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, New York, Tokyo, Beijing, Riyadh, London, Geneva, and the European Union, and non-resident accreditation in a number of countries including Nepal and Bhutan.

Key issues of interest include advancing national development, supporting international peace and security, including the protection of the environment and the promotion of human rights, and upholding the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Human rights[]

The Maldives has become a very strong advocate for the promotion and protection of human rights following the democratic transition in 2008. 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. In 2005, the Maldives became one of the promoters of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture after having earlier acceded to the convention. The Maldives is party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its optional protocol. In April 2006, the Maldives issued a standing invitation to all special procedures mandates of the UN human rights machinery to visit to the Maldives.^{[citation needed]}

The Maldives was elected to the Human Rights Council in 2010 for the term 2010–2013, in which it has actively supported and contributed to the promotion and protection of human rights for all. It has co-sponsored a number of resolution establishing United Nations Special Mandates, and supported resolutions on improving human rights situation in the Middle East during the Arab Spring, namely on investigating human rights violations in Libya and Syria.^{[citation needed]}

Maldives has especially close relations with Sri Lanka and India, countries with which it shares much culture.^{[citation needed]}

International organizations[]

United Nations[]

Maldives became a member state of the United Nations on 21 September 1965. The nation became a member of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the same date.

The Maldives became a member of the following UN agencies and conferences on the following dates:

• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) - 21 September 1965.
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) - 5 May 1988
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - 18 July 1980
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - on 15 December 1972
• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - 6 April 1971

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. It is also a strong advocate of counter-terrorism and is party to all the main UN conventions against terrorism. Development co-operation is a major priority of the Maldives and it has been campaigning at the UN for a more structured means of graduation from the list of least developed countries targeted for preferential assistance. The main donors to the Maldives are Japan, India, and Australia.

Other intergovernmental organizations[]

The Maldives became a member of Non-Aligned Movement on 15 August 1976.

The Maldives were a founder member in 1985 of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the nation plays a very active role in the association. It has taken the lead in calling for a South Asian Free Trade Agreement, the formulation of a Social Charter, the initiation of informal political consultations in SAARC forums, the lobbying for greater action on environmental issues, the proposal of numerous human rights measures such as the regional convention on child rights and for setting up a SAARC Human Rights Resource Centre. The Maldives is also an advocate of greater international profile for SAARC such as through formulating common positions at the UN. [4]

The Maldives is a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and maintains close cultural relations with Islamic countries. 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. It has also not supported the OIC position on issues such as that of Cyprus, subscribing instead to the international stance taken by the United Nations. The Maldives became a member of OIC in August 1974. [5]

The Maldives and the Commonwealth of Nations[]

The Maldives joined the Commonwealth of Nations on 9 July 1982 as a special member and became a full member on 20 June 1985 [6]

The Maldives became a member of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) in September 1989, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) on 1 January 2000, the (CFTC) in 1985, and the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) on 9 July 1982.^[1]

The Maldives withdrew from the Commonwealth in October 2016.^[2]

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the President of the Maldives and his Cabinet have decided that the Maldives will return to its membership of the Commonwealth, following in the footsteps of The Gambia under Adama Barrow's government, which returned to its membership of the Commonwealth on 8 February 2018.^[3]

The Maldives returned to its membership of the Commonwealth on 1 February 2020.

Diplomatic relations[]

List of countries which Maldives has diplomatic relations with:^[4]

1.  United Kingdom – 26 July 1965
2.  Sri Lanka – 26 July 1965
3.  India – 1 November 1965
4.  United States – 10 November 1965
5.  Italy – 1966
6.  Germany – 5 July 1966
7.  Pakistan – 26 July 1966
8.  Russia – 14 September 1966
9.  South Korea – 30 November 1966
10.  Japan – 14 November 1967
11.  Malaysia – 1968
12.  Egypt – 12 February 1969
13.  France – 20 May 1969
14.  Myanmar – 12 October 1969
15.  North Korea – 14 June 1970
16.  Iraq – 15 September 1971
17.  China – 14 October 1972
18.  Australia – 25 January 1974
19.  Philippines – 12 July 1974
20.  Indonesia – 2 September 1974
21.  New Zealand – 10 October 1974
22.  Singapore – 20 February 1975
23.  Serbia – 1 March 1975
24.  Hungary – 24 May 1975
25.  Vietnam – 20 June 1975
26.  Mexico – 15 November 1975
27.  Libya – 17 November 1975
28.  Cuba – 29 January 1977
29.  Belgium – 3 October 1977
30.  Kuwait – 1 December 1977
31.  Austria – 1 March 1978
32.  United Arab Emirates – 15 March 1978
33.  Sweden – 21 August 1978
34.  Bangladesh – 22 September 1978
35.  Turkey – 28 May 1979
36.  Thailand – 21 June 1979
37.  Spain – 25 August 1979
38.  Netherlands – 3 September 1979
39.  Romania – 1 November 1979
40.  Bahrain – 4 March 1980
41.  Seychelles – 1 July 1980
42.    Nepal – 1 August 1980
43.  Mali – 16 October 1980
44.  Syria – 1981
45.  Mauritius – 15 January 1981
46.  Senegal – 15 February 1981
47.  Oman – 20 February 1981
48.  Saudi Arabia – 17 March 1981
49.  Jordan – 25 March 1981
50.  Sudan – 10 June 1981
51.   Switzerland – 23 June 1981
52.  Canada – 4 December 1981
53.  State of Palestine – 4 April 1982
54.  Denmark – 8 November 1982
55.  Guinea – 8 April 1983
56.  Comoros – 20 July 1983
57.  Tunisia – 10 September 1983
58.  Greece – 17 September 1983
59.  Norway – 26 March 1984
60.  Brunei – 31 March 1984
61.  Qatar – 26 May 1984
62.  Bhutan – 13 July 1984
63.  Bulgaria – 14 August 1984
64.  Finland – 1 October 1984
65.  Poland – 1 October 1984
66.  Yemen – 1 November 1984
67.  Malta – 5 March 1985
68.  Mongolia – 6 November 1985
69.  Zimbabwe – 7 January 1987
70.  Chile – 1 March 1987
71.  Argentina – 14 May 1987
72.  Cyprus – 1 November 1987
73.  Vanuatu – 27 January 1988
74.  Morocco – 4 February 1988
75.  Lebanon – 25 February 1988
76.  Algeria – 8 March 1988
77.  Somalia – 10 March 1988
78.  Fiji – 15 March 1988
79.  Sierra Leone – 14 June 1988
80.  Luxembourg – 11 July 1988
81.  Tanzania – 11 August 1988
82.  Colombia – 22 August 1988
83.  Brazil – 27 September 1988
84.  Papua New Guinea – 22 September 1988
85.  Peru – 6 February 1989
86.  Nigeria – 1 March 1989
87.  Kiribati – 20 March 1989
88.  Gambia – 3 July 1989
89.  Panama – 10 July 1989
90.  Tonga – 1 August 1989
91.  Ghana – 10 August 1989
92.  Mauritania – 16 October 1989
93.  Solomon Islands – 18 October 1989
94.  Barbados – 30 November 1989
95.  Iceland – 30 January 1990
96.  Jamaica – 26 February 1990
97.  Namibia – 26 July 1990
98.  Venezuela – 1 November 1990
99.  Federated States of Micronesia – 24 October 1991
100.  Marshall Islands – 16 December 1991
101.  Turkmenistan – 25 September 1992
102.  Slovakia – 1 January 1993
103.  Guatemala – 27 January 1993
104.  Czech Republic – 20 April 1993
105.  Samoa – 2 August 1993
106.  Ukraine – 17 August 1993
107.  Kyrgyzstan – 31 August 1993
108.  Bahamas – 28 September 1993
109.  Tajikistan – 6 October 1993
110.  Uganda – 30 November 1993
111.  Belarus – 6 December 1993
112.  Estonia – 22 March 1994
113.  Guyana – 14 April 1994
114.  Latvia – 20 June 1994
115.  South Africa – 27 July 1994
116.  Uzbekistan – 7 December 1994
117.  Armenia – 10 January 1995
118.  Portugal – 9 February 1995
119.  Cambodia – 21 September 1995
120.  Kenya – 23 October 1995
121.  Mozambique – 27 November 1995
122.  Slovenia – 4 March 1996
123.  Bosnia and Herzegovina – 27 January 1997
124.  Croatia – 8 April 1997
125.  Lithuania – 2 December 1999
126.  Ireland – 7 December 1999
127.  Belize – 11 February 2000
128.  Kazakhstan – 15 March 2000
129.  Nauru – 9 May 2000
130.  Grenada – 13 July 2000
131.  North Macedonia – 13 November 2000
132.  Monaco – 19 March 2001
133.  Antigua and Barbuda – 25 March 2002
134.  Timor-Leste – 26 November 2002
135.  Cabo Verde – 23 April 2003
136.  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 27 May 2003
137.  Dominica – 21 July 2004
138.  Tuvalu – 14 March 2006
139.  Afghanistan – 17 March 2006
140.  Azerbaijan – 15 June 2006
141.  Gabon – 20 March 2008
142.  Djibouti – 7 April 2008
143.  Andorra – 19 May 2008
144.  Albania – 25 June 2008
145.  Suriname – 23 October 2008
146.  Uruguay – 24 February 2009
147.  Kosovo – 15 April 2009
148.  Trinidad and Tobago – 24 November 2009
149.  Montenegro – 24 November 2009
150.  Georgia – 11 March 2010
151.  Dominican Republic – 17 March 2010
152.  Nicaragua – 11 May 2010
153.  Costa Rica – 21 September 2010
154.  Paraguay – 28 September 2010
155.  Liechtenstein – 21 January 2011
156.  Ecuador – 14 March 2011
157.  Benin – 16 September 2011
158.  Honduras – 13 October 2011
159.  Saint Lucia – 2 December 2011
160.  Burkina Faso – 29 December 2011
161.  Laos – 10 February 2012
162.  Moldova – 14 May 2012
163.  San Marino – 24 April 2014
164.  Palau – 17 October 2014
165.  Saint Kitts and Nevis – 21 September 2016
166.  El Salvador – 19 September 2017
167.  Zambia – 1 April 2018
168.  Ivory Coast – 13 April 2018
169.  Republic of the Congo – 20 April 2018
170.  Equatorial Guinea – 21 May 2018
171.  Central African Republic – 24 May 2018
172.  Ethiopia – 6 August 2018
173.  Bolivia – 31 May 2019
174.  Rwanda – 6 September 2019
175.  Angola – 10 November 2020
176.  Eswatini – 15 December 2020
177.  Eritrea – 10 February 2021
178.  Lesotho – 29 March 2021

Suspended or severed diplomatic relations[]

•  Israel – 29 October 1965 (suspended)
•  Iran – 2 June 1975 (severed)

Bilateral relations[]

China[]

China and Maldives established diplomatic relations on 14 October 1972. Sino-Maldivian economic cooperation and trade volume were for long insignificant, with total trade in 2002 of only US$3 million. Economic ties have recently become more important with large inflows of Chinese tourists to the Maldives since 2010.^[5] Capital inflows from China have also rapidly increased since 2008. China's main exports to Maldives are rice and consumer goods.^[6] The relations between China and Maldives have increased in Mohamed Nasheed's presidential term. However, before being elected for president, Mohamed Nasheed criticized the Communist Party of China saying relations with Communist Chinese were never acceptable due to their views regarding modern democracy. However under president Yaameen, both countries have developed a close relations. Chinese investments and Aid to Maldives increased. Best example of China - Maldives raising relations is the Chinese-Maldives friendship bridge.

India[]

Bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of Maldives have been friendly and close in strategic, economic and military cooperation.^[7][8] India contributed to maintaining security on the island nation and has forged an alliance with respect to its strategic interests in the Indian Ocean.^[8][9]

India and Maldives officially and amicably decided their maritime boundary in 1976,^[8] although a minor diplomatic incident occurred in 1982 when the brother of the President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom declared that the neighbouring Minicoy Island that belonged to India were a part of Maldives; Maldivies quickly and officially denied that it was laying claim to the island.^[8] India and Maldives signed a comprehensive trade agreement in 1981.^[10] Both nations are founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the South Asian Economic Union and signatories to the South Asia Free Trade Agreement. Indian and Maldivian leaders have maintained high-level contacts and consultations on regional issues.^[7]

Diplomatic relations between Maldives and India were established on 1 November 1965.43

Malaysia[]

The Malaysian High Commission in Colombo is also cross-accredited to the Maldives,^[11] and Maldives has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur.^[12]

Myanmar[]

Maldives and Myanmar established diplomatic relations on 15 January 1970.40 In September 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives announced that it was ceasing all trade ties with Myanmar in response to the government's treatment of the Rohingya people in Rakhine State.^[13]

Pakistan[]

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.^[14] In October 2005, Pakistan-Maldives Joint Economic Commission commenced.^[15]

South Korea[]

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.^[16]

Sri Lanka[]

Official and economic relations between the neighbouring Indian Ocean countries of the Maldives and Sri Lanka, have been positive since the Maldives became independent in 1965. The Maldives first established a mission in Sri Lanka in July 1965, and today has a High Commission in Colombo.^[17] Sri Lanka has a high commission in Malé.^[18] Both countries were founding members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in December 1985.^[19] On 13 February 2014 Zahiya Zareer was appointed by President Abdulla Yameen as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.^[20]

The Maldives has an embassy in Bangkok and Thailand is accredited to the Maldives via its embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Middle East[]

Israel[]

The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1965 and suspended them in 1974.^[21]

In 2009, under president Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives signed cooperation agreements with Israel on tourism, health, and education and culture.^[22] In 2010, the Israeli government sent a team of eye doctors to treat patients and train local medical personnel in the Maldives.^[23] However, the renewed relationship did not develop into full diplomatic relations.^[23][24]

In July 2014, under president Abdulla Yameen, the Maldives terminated the cooperation agreements with Israel and announced a boycott of Israeli products, as Israel launched a military operation in Gaza. 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.^[25]

Saudi Arabia[]

On 12 May 2008, the Maldivian embassy was opened in Riyadh which was the first Maldivian mission in the Middle East.42

Africa[]

Mauritius[]

Both the Maldives and Mauritius were former British Indian Ocean possessions, and both now have similar tourist-oriented economies.^[26] Relations between the two islands are friendly, and there is some economic cooperation.^[27]

North and South America[]

United States[]

The Maldives established diplomatic relations with the United States on 10 November 1965 and the two nations maintain friendly relations.

The U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka, based in the U.S. embassy in Colombo, is also cross-accredited to the Maldives, and the ambassador and embassy staff make periodic visits. The United States supports Maldivian independence and territorial integrity, and publicly endorsed India's timely intervention on behalf of the Maldivian Government during the 1988 Maldives coup d'état attempt. U.S. Navy vessels have regularly called at Malé in recent years. The Maldives extended strong support to U.S. efforts to combat terrorism and terrorist financing in 2001–2002.

Europe[]

Cyprus[]

• Cyprus and the Maldives do maintain diplomatic relations. [7]
• Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 1997.^[28][29]
• Cyprus is represented in Maldives by its embassy in New Delhi, India.^[30]
• Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.

Finland[]

Finland recognized the Maldives on 15 October 1965. Diplomatic relations between Maldives and Finland were established on 10 August 1984. [8]

Greece[]

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 December 1983.^[29]
• Greece is represented in Sri Lanka by ts embassy in New Delhi, India.^[31]
• Maldives have an honorary consulate in Athens.^[31]

Kosovo[]

The Maldives recognized Kosovo on 19 February 2009.^[32] On 16 April 2009, Kosovo and the Maldives established diplomatic relations with one another.^[33]

On 7 March, the then Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed asked police to investigate the allegations of a US$2 million bribe given to Maldivian government officials to recognise Kosovo as an independent state.^[34] On 17 March, People's Majlis National Security Committee launched probe into Islamic Democratic Party's allegations regarding the bribery.^[35] Balkan Insight reported that Kosovo businessman, Behgjet Pacolli, who also heads the New Kosovo Alliance party, has denied any involvement in the bribery case and stated that he only lobbied for the recognition of Kosovo.^[36] Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed was cross-examined by the parliamentary committee on 28 March.^[37] The police investigation was closed on 6 May 2009, concluding that there was no evidence of corruption and the diplomatic process was conducted according to international standards; the NSC investigation was suspended.^[38]

Spain[]

Turkey[]

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 May 1979.^[39][29]

United Kingdom[]

The Maldives became a British Protectorate in the 19th century and the Maldivian monarchs were granted a good measure of self-governance. The Maldives gained total independence in 1965.^[40] 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.^[41][42]

Embassies and High Commissions of the Maldives[]

The following is a list of the current Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the Maldives with their assigned host country:-^[43]

High Commissions of the Republic of Maldives
Host Country	High Commissioner	High Commission Website
Bangladesh	Mr	-
India	Mr.	Website
Malaysia	Visam Ali	Website
Pakistan	Dr	Website
Singapore	Mr	Website
Sri Lanka	Mr.	Website
United Kingdom	Mr. Ahmed Shiaan	Website

Embassies of the Republic of Maldives
Host Country	Ambassador	Embassy Website
Belgium	Mr	Website
China	Mrs
Germany	Mr
Japan	Mr	Website
Saudi Arabia	Mr	-
South Korea	Mr	[9] [10] 대한민국의 재외공관 목록#.EB.82.A8.EC.95.84.EC.8B.9C.EC.95.84
Switzerland	Ms	-

Consulates in a non-resident capacity of the Republic of Maldives[44]
Host Country	Ambassador	Residency
Denmark	Dr	United Kingdom
Egypt	Mr	Saudi Arabia
Finland	Dr	United Kingdom
France	Dr	United Kingdom
Italy	Ms	Switzerland
Lebanon	Mr	Saudi Arabia
Libya	Mr	Saudi Arabia
Luxembourg	Mr	Belgium
Netherlands	Mr	Belgium
Norway	Dr	United Kingdom
Palestine	Dr	United Kingdom
Russia	Mr	Germany
Spain		United Kingdom
Sweden	Dr	Germany
Syria	Mr	Saudi Arabia
Turkey	Ms	Switzerland

Representatives to International Organizations of the Republic of Maldives
Organization / Post	Ambassador	Office Website
Permanent Representative to the United Nations (New York)	Mr	Website
Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva (Geneva)	Ms	Website
Representative to the European Union (Brussels)	Mr	Website
Permanent Representative to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (Jeddah)	Mr	-
Representative to the World Trade Organization (Geneva)	Ms	-

See also[]

• List of diplomatic missions in the Maldives
• List of diplomatic missions of the Maldives
• Maldives and the World Bank

References[]

External links[]

• Maldives Foreign Ministry
• Miadhu