President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has underscored that all nations are entitled to equal rights to freedom, independence and sovereignty, stating that this year's Independence Day ceremony stands as a testament to the success of the Government's Maldives First foreign policy.

He made these remarks during his address at the official Independence Day ceremony held this morning at Maldives Centre for Social Education (MCSE), celebrating 61 years of Maldives’ Independence.

The President noted the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Dr Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Minister of State and Cabinet Member of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who attended the Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. He also acknowledged the attendance of His Excellency Dr Khalilur Rahman, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, as the Government's Special Guest.

In addition, this year's celebrations were attended by 113 diplomats representing 43 countries and international organisations. The President noted that this constitutes the strongest diplomatic presence at the nation's Independence Day celebrations in the past decade and said it demonstrated the success of the Government's Maldives First foreign policy.

Elaborating on the principles underpinning the Government's foreign policy, the President spoke at length about the true meaning of independence. He observed that political independence alone is insufficient for a nation to be truly independent, stressing that external sovereignty is an equally essential element of genuine independence. Reaffirming that the Maldives belongs to the Maldivian people, the President said national policies must always prioritise the interests of its citizens. He added that, guided by this principle, the Maldives will continue to maintain cordial relations with all countries, with the exception of Israel, citing its ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.

Referring to the foreign policies pursued by some previous administrations, which distanced the Maldives from the Arab and Islamic world, the President said such an approach did not reflect the aspirations of the Maldivian people. He stated that the foreign policy which best reflects public sentiment is one that serves the interests, values and aspirations of the Maldivian people. Emphasising the Government's commitment to this approach, the President stressed that the Maldives will continue to strengthen relations with Arab and Islamic countries while maintaining close ties with all nations that cooperate with the Maldives for mutual benefit.

The President stated that war and violence are contrary to the values upheld by the Maldivian people. He emphasised that the Maldives has always championed peace and called on the international community to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue. Stressing that lasting solutions cannot be achieved through violence and conflict, he said these principles form the foundation of the Government's foreign policy.

The President also addressed the current impasse within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Reiterating that differences should be resolved through dialogue, he called on SAARC member states to return to the negotiating table in the interest of regional peace and cooperation. He added that the Maldives stands ready to serve as a mediator.

He also highlighted the Maldives' active engagement in international organisations, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Commonwealth, as well as the country's continued advocacy on climate change and efforts to address its adverse impacts.

The President also underscored the importance of safeguarding the Maldives' territorial sovereignty, raising concerns over the actions of the previous administration in relinquishing part of the country’s maritime territory. He reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to pursuing all available avenues to reclaim the country's rightful maritime boundaries. The President also highlighted legal reforms being introduced to further strengthen the Maldives' territorial sovereignty.