Maldives President Demands UK Reopen Chagos Islands Sovereignty Talks

President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has sent a direct letter to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He demands that London reopen sovereignty talks regarding the Chagos Islands. The leader argues these islands should not be handed over to Mauritius.

Muizzu stressed the need for meaningful dialogue between the UK and his nation on this critical issue. His office released the statement on Tuesday morning.

The Maldives government insists its claim rests on solid ground. Historical ties bind the two places together. Geography plays a huge role too. The archipelago sits just 500km from the Maldives, which is about 310 miles. Mauritius lies more than four times that distance away.

These islands host a massive military installation. Diego Garcia is the largest landmass in the group. It holds a key US-UK airbase. That base operates under a 99-year lease agreement between London and Washington. Its location bridges Asia and Africa right in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

In his message, Muizzu voiced deep concern over the proposed handover. He felt left out of the process entirely. Burnham's predecessor, Keir Starmer, finalized the deal in May 2025. The agreement would transfer control to Mauritius while letting Britain keep the base on Diego Garcia.

Muizzu called this an oversight that needs fixing immediately. He expressed deep disappointment that London did not consult him when the previous government agreed to cede sovereignty. He urged Burnham to correct the mistake made by his predecessor right away.

The president also highlighted shared history and cultural bonds between the Maldives and Chagos. The Maldives has long supported marine conservation in the region. They have backed scientific research expeditions there for years.

This situation changed last April when the UK paused Starmer's bill. Donald Trump did not support returning the islands to Mauritius at that time. Mauritius had promised to spare no effort in reclaiming the archipelago.

A spokesperson from the UK Foreign Office spoke to the Press Association on Tuesday. They said sovereignty is a matter for the UK and Mauritius alone. That is why negotiations started with Port Louis in 2022 instead of Malé.