President Muizzu Offers Maldives as Mediator to Revive Dormant SAARC Organization

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has declared that the Maldives is prepared to act as a mediator to facilitate the resumption of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Speaking during the Maldives' 61st Independence Day ceremony, the President emphasized the critical need to restart meetings among member states to ensure regional peace and stability. SAARC, a key regional body comprising South Asian nations, has seen its activities largely suspended for nearly a decade. The organization fell into a period of inactivity following escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, which led to a boycott of the 2016 SAARC Summit by six member states. President Muizzu urged all parties with conflicting views to prioritize regional development and cooperation over historical disputes. He asserted that the Maldives has consistently advocated for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and is ready to take a leading role in promoting the necessary dialogue to bring the association back to life. Expanding on the nation's broader foreign policy, the President reaffirmed that the Maldives rejects war and conflict as means of resolving differences. He reiterated the government's strong condemnation of humanitarian atrocities and genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, confirming that the policy prohibiting entry to Israeli passport holders will remain in effect. While maintaining a firm stance against Israel, President Muizzu stated that the Maldives will continue to uphold diplomatic relations with all other countries. He further outlined a strategy to strengthen ties with Arab and Islamic nations, describing this approach as a reflection of the values and aspirations of the Maldivian people. By positioning the Maldives as a neutral facilitator for SAARC, the administration seeks to restore a platform for regional diplomacy that has remained dormant for nine years, signaling a proactive shift in the country's international engagement.