President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reiterated the Maldives’ commitment to revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, SAARC, during a farewell meeting with outgoing Secretary-General Md. Golam Sarwar.
Sarwar paid a farewell call on President Muizzu at the President’s Office, where discussions centred on strengthening regional cooperation, advancing SAARC’s work and promoting greater regional integration and collective development.
President Muizzu thanked Sarwar for his service and support during his tenure as Secretary-General and praised his leadership of the regional organisation.
The President reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to strengthening SAARC, while highlighting the organisation’s significance both within South Asia and in the wider international arena.
Sarwar expressed his appreciation for the cooperation extended by the Maldives throughout his tenure. He described the Maldives as an important member of SAARC, particularly as one of the organisation’s founding members.
The outgoing Secretary-General also thanked President Muizzu for his efforts towards revitalising the organisation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, President Muizzu conveyed his best wishes to Sarwar for his future endeavours and reaffirmed his intention to continue promoting closer cooperation among SAARC member states.
The Maldives is one of SAARC’s founding members. The organisation was established on 8 December 1985, following the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
President Muizzu has previously made the revival of SAARC a key part of his regional diplomatic agenda.
In his address at the Maldives’ 61st Independence Day ceremony, the President said the Maldives was ready to facilitate the resumption of SAARC meetings.
He described SAARC as an important regional organisation bringing together the countries of South Asia, including the Maldives, but noted that its activities have remained largely inactive for the past nine years.
SAARC’s work has been significantly affected by tensions between India and Pakistan. In 2016, six SAARC member states boycotted the scheduled summit, resulting in the suspension of the organisation’s summit process.
President Muizzu said the Maldives has consistently supported the peaceful resolution of disputes and is prepared to play a leading role in encouraging dialogue among member states.
He stressed that reviving SAARC and restarting meetings are important for maintaining peace and stability across the region.
The President called on countries with differing positions to return to the negotiating table, focus on regional development and peace, and work together in a spirit of cooperation.
He said that if difficulties arise in restarting dialogue, the Maldives is prepared to take the initiative and act as a mediator to help move discussions forward.
On the Maldives’ wider foreign policy, President Muizzu said the country does not support resolving differences through war or conflict.
He also reiterated the Maldives’ condemnation of what he described as humanitarian atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, saying the Maldives would continue to speak out against what he characterised as genocide.
The President stated that, with the exception of Israel, the Maldives would maintain diplomatic relations with all countries.
He further said the Government would continue strengthening ties with Arab and Islamic countries, describing the policy as reflective of the values and aspirations of the Maldivian people.
According to President Muizzu, the Government’s current foreign policy direction is intended to strengthen international relations while providing greater confidence and reassurance to the Maldivian people.
