President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that the Maldives is prepared to facilitate the resumption of meetings of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
SAARC's activities have been largely suspended for several years following tensions between India and Pakistan. In 2016, Six SAARC member states, boycotted that year's SAARC Summit.
Speaking at the Maldives' 61st Independence Day ceremony , President Muizzu described SAARC, which brings together the countries of South Asia including the Maldives, as an important regional organisation. However, he noted that the association has remained inactive for the past nine years.
The President said the Maldives has consistently advocated the peaceful resolution of disputes and is prepared to take a leading role in promoting dialogue. He stressed that reviving SAARC and restarting meetings among its member states are essential for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
"The Maldives calls on all parties with differing views to come together around the table, prioritise regional development and peace, and work in a spirit of cooperation. If there are difficulties in doing so, the Maldives stands ready to take the initiative and serve as a mediator to help advance those discussions," President Dr Muizzu said.
Turning to foreign policy, the President said that the Maldives does not accept resolving differences through war or conflict. He reiterated the country's continued condemnation of what he described as the humanitarian atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, adding that the Maldives would continue to speak out against what he characterised as genocide.
The President also stated that, apart from Israel, the Maldives would maintain diplomatic relations with all countries.
"We are proud of our decision to prohibit entry to this country on Israeli passports, and we will maintain that policy. We will continue to have close relations with every other country. Every time the MDP comes to power, it acts in the opposite direction. There is a pro-Israel policy there," President Muizzu said.
The President further said that the government's foreign policy would continue to strengthen relations with Arab and Islamic countries. He described this approach as one that reflects the values and aspirations of the Maldivian people, adding that the current foreign policy would bring confidence and reassurance to the nation.