No part of Maldivian territory will be handed over to foreign military or security control: Government

The Maldivian government has provided assurances that no part of the territory of the Maldives will, under any circumstances, be handed over to a foreign military or monitoring force.

The government made this statement in an official press release issued today.

The statement was released following remarks made by former President Mohamed Nasheed.

The press release stated that the territory and sovereignty of the State of Maldives are non-negotiable rights of the Maldivian state and its citizens, upon which the independence of the nation relies.

Furthermore, full authority and responsibility for monitoring Maldivian territory including international maritime trade routes passing through and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a duty entrusted to the Maldivian state by the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.

Therefore, protecting Maldivian territory, independence, and state sovereignty within these boundaries is something Maldivians have historically done and continue to do with great pride, a fact to which Maldivian history bears witness.

Highlighting the Maldives' strategically crucial geographic location, the statement noted that the international sea lanes within the country's territory serve as key routes for a large percentage of global oil and commercial trade traveling between continents.

Consequently, facilitating safe passage through Maldivian waters has long been a valuable service provided by the Maldives to global oil and trade industries, as well as a significant contribution to regional and global peace and stability.

The statement further emphasized that refusing to delegate the oversight of Maldivian territory and sea lanes to foreign entities is one of the key policies maintained by the government to protect the nation's independence and sovereignty.

Additionally, this policy is crucial for maintaining regional stability and ensuring a favorable environment for global trade.

Opening any part of Maldivian territory including its international trade routes and EEZ to foreign entities for military or other monitoring purposes would compromise the independence and sovereignty of the country and impact regional peace and security. As such, refraining from doing so remains a fundamental policy of the Maldivian government.

Therefore, the government reaffirmed that no part of Maldivian territory will, under any circumstances, be given to foreign military or surveillance forces.

The government also urged all parties to refrain from directly or indirectly inviting foreign influence in a manner that suggests otherwise.