The recent decision by the UK to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while a significant development in a long-standing decolonization dispute, appears to have largely sidestepped the concerns of the Maldives.

In his Republic Day speech last year, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu publicly stated that he had dispatched a letter to the UK government, asserting the Maldives' greater deservingness of sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.

This direct diplomatic overture underscores the depth of Maldivian concern and its proactive stance in advocating for its perceived rights.

However, the lack of public knowledge regarding a UK response to this letter is telling.

The absence of a transparent dialogue or acknowledgement of the Maldivian claim suggests that Maldivian concerns may not have been fully or adequately addressed in the UK's decision-making process concerning the Chagos Islands' future.

Had the UK genuinely sought to address Maldivian concerns, one would expect a more open and consultative process.

This could have involved trilateral discussions, dedicated diplomatic exchanges, or at the very least, a public acknowledgment and considered response to President Muizzu's letter.

Instead, the focus appears to have remained primarily on the bilateral resolution with Mauritius, potentially overlooking the significant geopolitical and security implications for the Maldives.

The transfer of sovereignty of an archipelago in such close proximity to the Maldives, without adequately engaging with Maldivian concerns, could be interpreted as a missed opportunity to foster regional stability and uphold principles of good neighborliness.

For the Maldives, the Chagos Islands are not merely a distant landmass; they represent a critical element in its strategic maritime zone.

Any change in their sovereign status, particularly without Maldivian input, naturally raises anxieties about fishing rights and security arrangements in a sensitive Indian Ocean region.

While the UK's decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius aimed to resolve a colonial legacy, the evidence suggests that Maldivian concerns were not adequately addressed.

President Muizzu's direct appeal to the UK government, and the subsequent silence regarding a response, highlights a significant gap in the consultative process.

For the Maldives, the future of the Chagos Islands is not merely a matter of historical dispute but a contemporary geopolitical reality with tangible implications for its national interests.

A comprehensive and truly equitable resolution would have necessitated a more inclusive approach, one that genuinely considered and engaged with the legitimate concerns of all affected parties, including the Maldives.