President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has described Mauritius’ decision to sever diplomatic relations with the Maldives over the Chagos Archipelago dispute as “unreasonable,” asserting that the move does not alter the facts surrounding sovereignty over the islands.

Mauritius announced the termination of diplomatic ties after the Maldivian government asserted that Mauritius holds no sovereign claim over the Chagos Islands and maintained that the archipelago rightfully belongs to the Maldives.

Responding to a question from a journalist during a press conference today, President Muizzu stressed that breaking diplomatic relations would not change what he described as the underlying reality of the issue.

The President noted that the decision by Mauritius was made without prior consultation with Maldives.

He emphasized that the Maldives would not shift its position and would continue to act in accordance with its “Maldives First” policy.

During his Presidential Address at the opening session of the current term of the Parliament earlier in February , President Dr. Muizzu had confirmed that his administration has withdrawn a letter dated August 22, 2022, sent by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to the Mauritian Prime Minister. 

According to the current administration, that letter weakened the Maldives’ legal standing and contributed to developments that adversely affected the country’s maritime entitlements in the region.

In the same address, President Muizzu revealed that the Maldivian government had formally written to the United Kingdom on November 8, 2024, and again on January 18, 2026, rejecting the UK’s decision to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago ( Foalhavahi) to Mauritius. The letters called for Maldivian interests to be fully considered in any settlement.

The President further disclosed that during a telephone conversation on December 15, 2025, with British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, he reiterated the Maldives’ request for further consultations on the matter.

Additionally, the government has notified both Mauritius and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) of its strong opposition to any economic measures undertaken by Mauritius in the Chagos region that could negatively impact the Maldivian economy, particularly the fisheries and tourism sectors.

President Muizzu affirmed that the Maldives would continue to defend what it considers its rightful claim, maintaining that diplomatic developments would not alter the nation’s position on the issue.