President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has placed the Maldives at the centre of a growing geopolitical debate in the Indian Ocean, offering a strategic proposal that underscores Malé’s readiness to safeguard regional security while asserting its historic rights.
In an interview with Newsweek, President Muizzu confirmed that the Maldives is prepared to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the US Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, should sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago be transferred to the Maldives amid an ongoing dispute between the United Kingdom and the United States .
“President Trump clearly seeks to protect and secure the continuation of the use of Chagos for the U.S. Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia,” Muizzu told Newsweek, signalling his administration’s willingness to address Washington’s security concerns through constitutional and parliamentary processes .
He stressed that under Maldivian sovereignty, the operational status of the base would remain unchanged. “Under a transfer of sovereignty to the Maldives, the government of Maldives would seek approval through our parliament, to facilitate the continuation of the status quo,” the President said, highlighting that his People’s National Congress holds a strong majority in parliament .
President Muizzu’s remarks come as the UK plans to transfer the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump, who has raised national security concerns over the future of the strategically vital base.
Reinforcing the Maldives’ claim, Muizzu noted that the Chagos Islands, known locally as Foalhavahi, lie just 310 miles from Malé and are backed by historical, cultural, and archaeological evidence linking the archipelago to Maldivian heritage. He cited ancient Dhivehi inscriptions, royal patents predating colonial rule, and genetic links between Maldivians and Chagossians as proof of longstanding ties .
Beyond sovereignty, Muizzu emphasised the Maldives’ proven record in environmental stewardship, stating that the country has “the greatest experience in the world of maintaining marine conservation areas across thousands of miles of ocean,” a key factor in ensuring security and sustainability around Diego Garcia .
The President’s assertive yet balanced diplomacy reflects his broader “Maldives First” foreign policy, positioning the nation as a credible, neutral, and capable actor amid intensifying competition between global powers in the Indian Ocean.
As regional tensions rise, Muizzu’s proposal elevates the Maldives from a small island state to a serious geopolitical stakeholder, one prepared to protect international security interests while defending its own sovereignty and historical rights.
