Maldives welcomes decision to pause handover of Chagos to Mauritius

The Maldivian government has welcomed the UK government's decision to pause the process of handing over the Chagos Archipelago, or Foalhavahi, to Mauritius.

Welcoming the UK government's decision, a press statement released by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry noted that the Maldives has legal and principled interests regarding the future of Foalhavahi and its governance, stating that the Maldives views this decision as an important opportunity to restart discussions with the Maldives.

In the Foreign Ministry's statement, the Maldives reiterated its appeal to the UK government to find a fair solution that respects the rights of the Maldives, promotes regional stability, and aligns with international law. It further stated that the Maldives believes such a decision must ensure the long-term security and sustainable interests of the Indian Ocean.

The Maldivian government had submitted written objections to the UK government on 8 November 2024 and 18 January 2026, expressing the Maldivian state's opposition to the UK's decision to grant sovereignty of Foalhavahi to Mauritius. Additionally, the Maldivian government has shared with the Mauritian government and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) its strong opposition to the policies set by Mauritius regarding the economic utilization of the Foalhavahi region, due to the potential negative impacts on the Maldivian economy, particularly the fisheries and tourism industries.