MALI, Sep 8: Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has invited British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham for official discussions on issues surrounding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, amid growing concerns in Male over Britain’s proposed transfer of the archipelago to Mauritius.
Muizzu extended the invitation in a letter to the UK Prime Minister on Tuesday, reiterating the Maldives’ opposition to the proposed change in sovereignty. He referred to the historical and cultural links between the Maldives and the Chagos Islands and highlighted his country’s longstanding involvement in marine conservation and scientific research in the region.
The Maldivian president reaffirmed his government’s commitment to maintaining a “reliable and constructive partnership” with the United Kingdom on matters related to the Chagos Islands, while also seeking to safeguard what he described as the legitimate interests of the Maldives and its people.
Muizzu stressed that meaningful dialogue between Male and London was essential to address issues concerning the archipelago’s sovereignty. He expressed hope that renewed engagement could contribute to greater stability and security in the Indian Ocean at a time of heightened global uncertainty, according to the Maldives President’s Office.
The Maldives has formally informed Britain that it does not recognise the proposed transfer of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Muizzu has conveyed his objections through two written communications as well as a telephone conversation with UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.
The Maldivian government has asserted that it has legitimate interests in the matter and has indicated that it could consider international legal avenues to advance its position.
Britain, however, has maintained that the sovereignty issue is a matter between the UK and Mauritius. UK Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty had previously stated that the Maldives was not a party to the sovereignty dispute.
The Chagos Islands, officially designated the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), are located in the Indian Ocean and have remained under British administration since the early 19th century.
In 2025, the UK government agreed to transfer sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius while securing continued access to the joint UK-US military facility on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago.
Under the proposed agreement, Britain would pay Mauritius an average of £101 million annually to lease the Diego Garcia base, which has significant strategic importance in the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius has long maintained that the Chagos Islands form part of its territory and has pursued its sovereignty claim through international diplomatic and legal mechanisms.