Defense Minister says Maldives must prioritize national interest and avoid dependence on foreign powers

Defense Minister Hassan Rasheed said on Tuesday evening that Victory Day is a reminder for Maldivians to put the national interest first and strive to stand on their own feet. 

He made the remarks while delivering his address at the official Victory Day ceremony, beginning by thanking all those who defended the country during the November 3, 1988 attack.

The minister said the Maldivian flag flies freely today because of the sacrifices made by Maldivian soldiers. Noting that the global security environment is undergoing major shifts, he said countries around the world face numerous threats. However, he stressed that Maldivians must remember that the Maldives is the oldest independent state in the region, and that the secret to preserving that independence lies in continuing to follow the guidance of Islam.

“Maldives’s proud Victory Day reminds us that we must give priority to the national interest in line with the noble example set by our ancestors in the past. Instead of being under any power, we must work to stand on our own feet,” he said.

President Dr @MMuizzu and First Lady @sajidhaamohamed attend the official Victory Day ceremony, honouring the Maldivians whose bravery and sacrifice safeguarded the nation’s sovereignty on 3 November 1988. https://t.co/u7pNtyqnwZ

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) November 3, 2026

He added that military capabilities are being strengthened under the President’s policy to ensure that the independence and sovereignty of the Maldivian people do not become dependent on outsiders.

The minister said Maldivian youth should learn from the example set by the soldiers on November 3 and remember the lessons of that day. He also prayed for the soldiers who were martyred in the attack.

Victory Day is marked to commemorate the defeat of Tamil mercenaries in the 1988 terror attack, which killed eight soldiers and 11 civilians.