President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed the Maldives’ readiness to work with South Asian nations to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), calling for renewed diplomatic engagement to create the conditions necessary for the regional bloc’s long-delayed summit to take place.
The President made the remarks in Islamabad on Wednesday during a joint statement following the exchange of 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Maldives and Pakistan, as part of his ongoing state visit to the country.
Speaking at the official residence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Muizzu emphasised the importance of restoring cooperation among SAARC member states, describing the regional organisation as a platform with considerable potential to address challenges shared by South Asian countries.
He said the Maldives remained committed to playing an active and constructive role in efforts to restore the organisation’s effectiveness, stressing that greater trust and diplomatic engagement would be essential to moving the process forward.
The President identified meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding and the rebuilding of confidence among member states as necessary steps towards strengthening regional cooperation.
He also reaffirmed the Maldives’ willingness to engage with all SAARC members to help establish an environment in which the next summit could be convened at the earliest possible opportunity.
The appeal comes amid a prolonged period of inactivity at the summit level within SAARC, which brings together Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Established in 1985, the organisation was created to promote regional cooperation in areas including economic development, trade, education, health and social progress.
However, political differences among member states, particularly tensions between India and Pakistan, have repeatedly complicated efforts to advance the organisation’s agenda.
The last SAARC Summit was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, in November 2014.
A subsequent summit scheduled to take place in Islamabad in 2016 was postponed after several member countries withdrew their participation amid heightened regional tensions.
No SAARC Summit has been convened since, leaving the organisation without a meeting of its heads of state and government for more than a decade.
Despite the prolonged interruption, the organisation continues to represent an established framework for cooperation among South Asian countries, a region facing common challenges involving economic development, climate vulnerability, food security and regional connectivity.
For the Maldives, a small island nation with close political and economic relationships across South Asia, regional cooperation remains particularly relevant in addressing shared development and security concerns.
President Muizzu’s remarks in Islamabad signal the Maldives’ intention to support renewed engagement among member countries rather than allow the regional organisation’s summit process to remain indefinitely suspended.
During his statement, the President also addressed developments in the Middle East, reiterating the Maldives’ longstanding support for the rights of the Palestinian people.
He reaffirmed the country’s position that Palestinians have the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, sovereign state based on the borders that existed before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The President also commended Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement in response to tensions in the Middle East, highlighting its efforts to encourage dialogue, reduce tensions and provide humanitarian assistance.
Turning to bilateral relations, President Muizzu described Pakistan as a longstanding and trusted partner of the Maldives, noting that the two countries are marking 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
He said the relationship had developed through longstanding ties between the peoples of both countries, shared religious connections, educational exchanges and mutual respect.
The Maldives and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1966 and have since maintained cooperation in several fields, including education, defence, healthcare and institutional development.
President Muizzu said his discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had focused on building upon the existing relationship and creating new opportunities for cooperation that would benefit citizens of both countries.
The President expressed confidence that the 20 agreements exchanged during the visit would help deepen bilateral ties and open additional avenues for collaboration.
The agreements cover areas including education, healthcare, defence, trade, technology, transport and maritime security, reflecting efforts to expand the scope of cooperation between the two governments.
President Muizzu also conveyed his appreciation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani government and the people of Pakistan for the hospitality extended to him and the Maldivian delegation.
His remarks on SAARC formed part of a broader diplomatic message during the visit, combining calls for renewed South Asian regional engagement with efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation on international issues.
