Maldives Rules Out Foreign Surveillance of Its Waters and Exclusive Economic Zone

The Maldivian government has said it will not allow any foreign party to monitor or provide maritime security over any part of the country’s territory, including the international shipping lanes that cross its waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The statement, published by the President’s Office on 14 October 2026 as “Statement by the Government of Maldives” (reference 2026-008), was issued in both Dhivehi and English.

It says that allowing any foreign party to oversee or conduct maritime security, “military or otherwise, directly or indirectly”, over any part of Maldivian territory would compromise the country’s independence and sovereignty and destabilise the wider region. The government, it says, “maintains an absolute policy against any such arrangements”.

“No part of Maldivian territory will, under any circumstances, be placed under foreign military or operational surveillance initiatives,” the English text says. It also urges “all parties” not to invite foreign influence, directly or indirectly, in any way that could affect Maldivian sovereignty.

No Trigger Named

The statement does not name any person, political party, foreign government or proposal. It does not say whether any foreign country has offered or sought a surveillance role, or whether any such arrangement is under discussion. No other President’s Office press release published between 4 and 15 October deals with the subject.

The statement describes the Maldives’ position on sea lanes that carry “a substantial share of the world’s oil and commercial trade”. It says keeping those waters safe for passage has long been a Maldivian contribution to regional peace and global trade. It calls refusing to hand the surveillance, defence and management of Maldivian territory and sea passages to foreign entities “a fundamental policy” of the government.

Earlier Positions

The statement repeats positions President Mohamed Muizzu’s administration has taken since 2024.

In March 2024, launching the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Air Corps and its unmanned aerial vehicles, Muizzu said the country covers about 900,000 square kilometres and can monitor its own jurisdiction. He said that surveillance should not concern any external parties and would not affect the country’s close relations with other states.

In July 2024 he said all foreign military personnel had left the platforms provided by the Indian government, which were then being operated by civilians. He also said full control of territorial waters was crucial to defence sovereignty.

In November 2024 Parliament passed constitutional amendments that, according to the President’s Office, allow the country’s maritime territory to be defined up to the EEZ. Any change to those boundaries now needs a three-quarters majority in Parliament and approval in a public referendum. Deploying foreign military personnel in Maldivian territory now requires parliamentary approval.

In July 2025 Muizzu acknowledged that the Maldives must rely on other nations for some resources and technical expertise. He said the government was committed to working with international partners, but that it was not its policy to let any foreign country take the lead in national affairs.

Surveillance Capacity

On 3 November 2025 Muizzu issued a decree ordering the MNDF Air Corps to set up its first air station. The decree also ordered round-the-clock airspace surveillance over the EEZ. The air station opened in Gan, Addu City, on 5 November 2025, according to the President’s Office photo record of the ceremony.

The 14 October statement says the constitution gives the Maldivian state alone the authority and duty to protect, monitor and exercise full operational control over its territory, including the trade routes within its waters and its EEZ.