The Maldives has initiated a large-scale maritime surveillance operation in its southern Exclusive Economic Zone, marking a decisive move by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to reclaim waters surrendered under the previous Maldivian Democratic Party administration.
According to the Maldives National Defence Force, the operation, launched on 4 February, is being jointly carried out by the MNDF Coast Guard and the MNDF Air Corps, covering maritime areas extending up to 200 nautical miles from the country’s southern baseline. The mission includes the deployment of the Coast Guard’s largest vessel, Dharumavantha, supported by unmanned aerial vehicles to strengthen surveillance, deterrence, and maritime domain awareness.
The enforcement action follows President Muizzu’s declaration during his Presidential Address today to the People’s Majlis, where he announced the government’s decision to redefine the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone to include maritime territory previously handed over during the tenure of former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
President Muizzu revealed that the Solih administration formally ceded significant maritime areas through a written communication sent to the Prime Minister of Mauritius, a move that bypassed parliamentary approval and contradicted the archipelagic principles enshrined in Maldivian law. The decision has since been described by legal experts, political leaders, and segments of the public as a treacherous act that compromised national sovereignty.
“I hereby declare, before the honourable members of Parliament, that the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone shall include the maritime territory that was previously surrendered, as originally intended by law,” President Muizzu stated, confirming that legislative amendments will be submitted to realign maritime boundaries with the archipelagic base points under the Maritime Zones of Maldives Act.
The disputed waters stem from overlapping claims involving the Chagos Archipelago. In 2023, an international ruling divided the overlapping area between the Maldives and Mauritius. However, the Muizzu administration has made clear that it will pursue all available legal and diplomatic avenues to recover the full extent of Maldivian maritime territory.
The ongoing MNDF surveillance operation underscores the government’s resolve to reverse past decisions, defend national sovereignty, and ensure that Maldivian waters are protected not only through law, but through visible and sustained presence at sea and in the air.
