Maldives Sees Highest Foreign Diplomatic Turnout in Decade for Independence Day

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced that this year’s Independence Day celebrations saw the largest gathering of foreign diplomats in ten years, marking a significant milestone in the Maldives' diplomatic outreach. A total of 113 representatives from 43 countries and the United Nations attended the festivities, signaling a strengthening of international ties. Addressing the official ceremony, President Muizzu described the high level of participation as a testament to the nation's commitment to inclusive global engagement. He specifically thanked high-level dignitaries for their presence, including Saudi Arabia's Minister of State, Prince Dr Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr Khalilur Rahman. During his remarks, the President reaffirmed the core principles of his administration’s foreign policy, centering on a "Maldives First" strategy. This approach prioritizes the interests of the Maldivian people while maintaining cordial relations with the international community. However, the President emphasized a clear exception to this inclusive policy, reiterating that the Maldives does not recognize or maintain ties with Israel. Citing the ongoing crisis in Gaza as a genocide of the Palestinian people, President Muizzu affirmed his pride in upholding the ban on Israeli passport holders entering the country. Closing his address, the President characterized the Maldives as a peace-loving nation. He pledged that the country would continue to champion global peace, oppose war and injustice, and seek collaborative, diplomatic solutions to international disputes, regardless of differing political viewpoints.