The Government of the Maldives has reaffirmed that no part of Maldivian territory will, under any circumstances, be placed under foreign military or operational surveillance initiatives.
In a strongly worded statement, the Government said that the territory and sovereignty of the Maldives are an inalienable right of the Maldivian State and its people, forming the indispensable bedrock of our independence.
Under the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, the authority and duty to protect, monitor, and exercise full operational control over our sovereign domain, including the maritime trade routes within its waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), rest solely with the Maldivian State.
The government said that refusing to entrust the surveillance, defense, and management of the territory and maritime passages of the Maldives to foreign entities remains a fundamental policy of the Government of Maldives to protect our independence and sovereignty. It also said that this steadfast policy serves as a cornerstone of the Maldives' commitment to fostering regional stability and maintaining an environment conducive to global trade.
Permitting any foreign party to oversee or conduct maritime security, military or otherwise, directly or indirectly, over any part of the territory of the Maldives, including the maritime trade routes within its domain and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), compromises the independence and sovereignty of the Maldives while destabilising the broader region.
The government further denied making such arrangements and urged all parties to refrain from directly or indirectly inviting foreign influence in any manner that could impact our sovereignty.
