Maldives' interest is protected in the Chagos issue: President Solih
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has defended the government from criticism by stating that it is protecting the country's interests in the Chagos case.
President Solih made the remarks at a ceremony held at the Islamic Center to mark the Maldives' conversion to Islam. This is the first time that President Solih has spoken on the Chagos issue.
The President said the Maldives was not working on the Chagos issue with any particular country. He said the matter was pending before an international tribunal and the Maldives was trying to protect the country's interests.
"We are protecting the highest interests of the country in a case filed by Mauritius. But even in this case, it is a shameful case that false rumours are being spread for the personal purpose of an individual or the political purpose of a particular group of people and knowing the truth about it. It is even more unfortunate that attempts are being made to create division and fear among the people when such rumours are being spread,"
Said President Solih
President Solih said that the current government has not yet taken any decision that would harm the sovereignty and independence of the Maldives in this case or any other matter relating to the foreign sector and will never allow such damage again.
"Article 3 of the Constitution makes it very clear what the territory of the country is. The Maldives Maritime Law also provides for the treatment of any breach of the territorial waters of the Maldives and the territorial waters of another country. With the good grace of God and the good wishes of the people of the country, we will be successful in this as well,"
Said President Solih
The President noted that the maritime dispute between the Maldives and Chagos has not been resolved for many years. President Solih said that 30 years ago, in 1992, discussions were held with the British government. He stated that it was agreed with the British government to divide the disputed area equally into two countries. He said talks were held with Mauritius in 2010.
"In this case, we continue to uphold the policy of protecting the highest interests of the country that the state has maintained in the past,"
Said President Solih
The government was criticised for changing its stance on Chagos after it decided to recognise that Chagos was part of Mauritius. In the past, the government had maintained that it was an English-controlled place. President Solih did not comment on the decision to recognise Chagos as part of Mauritius.
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