Mauritius suspends diplomatic ties with Maldives over Chagos

Mauritius cabinet, on Friday, resolved to suspend all diplomatic relations with the Maldives, effective immediately, over the disputed Chagos archipelago.  

The cabinet highlights published by the Prime Minister’s Office following Friday’s cabinet meeting read that the cabinet had taken note of the Maldivian government’s recent stance, no longer recognizing Mauritius sovereignty over Chagos archipelago and objecting to the UK-Mauritius agreement whereby UK had agreed to handover Chagos archipelago to Mauritius.

As such, the document read that the cabinet had decided to immediately suspend all diplomatic relations with the Maldives. 

According to the document, the cabinet also discussed concerns surrounding the delayed legislative process regarding Diego Garcia Military Base and British-Indian Ocean Territory Bill in the United Kingdom, which was noted that will be activated as soon as an agreement between the UK and the United States is reached. The Mauritian government is reportedly closely following up on the matter.

While Mauritius continues to uphold its stance on the issue, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, in his presidential address at the inaugural parliament sitting of the year earlier this month, asserted that Maldivians have long regarded the Chagos archipelago as part of the nation’s natural territory, dating back to ancestral times.

He stated that historical documents indicate Chagos was previously included within the Maldives’ sovereign boundaries in official records. The President also highlighted that Maldivian fishermen have traditionally operated — and continue to operate — in the waters around Chagos, arguing that these longstanding ties establish a clear sovereign connection between the Maldives and the archipelago.

As such, the President said the Maldivian government has formally submitted written objections to the United Kingdom on November 8, 2024, and January 18, 2026, opposing its decision to transfer ownership of Chagos to Mauritius. He further revealed that on December 15 last year, he raised the matter directly with British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, expressing the Maldives’ wish to initiate formal discussions with the UK government.

Despite the Maldives’ continued assertions, the United Kingdom has maintained that the sovereignty dispute is strictly a bilateral matter between London and Mauritius.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, a member of the UK House of Commons and leader of opposition Reform UK party, argued that historical connections to Chagos lie with the Maldives and that Mauritius cannot legitimately claim the islands. He suggested that the Maldives may pursue a case at the International Court of Justice to assert its sovereignty and called on the British government to immediately suspend plans to transfer the territory.

Farage visited the Maldives last weekend, stating that his intention was to travel to Chagos as part of a humanitarian mission. In a video shared on social media after his trip, he alleged that the UK had prevented him from accessing the territory. However, reports by The Guardian, citing UK government sources, indicated that British authorities only learned of Farage’s presence in the Maldives after the video was published. The UK government also stated that he had not requested authorization to enter Chagos, which remains a restricted area requiring prior approval.