Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says Mauritius’ decision to suspend diplomatic ties with his country is “nonsensical, very immature and naïve".

Mauritius recently announced that it would suspend diplomatic relations with the Maldives, saying the move was prompted by the Maldives’ refusal to recognise Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.

Mauritius also accused the Maldives of objecting to the October 2024 agreement with the United Kingdom that provided for the return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritian control.

However, the Maldives is also claiming the islands as its territory. 

President Muizzu this week responded to the suspension announcement and said the agreement between the UK and Mauritius “does not change the reality".

“Even if Mauritius severs diplomatic ties with the Maldives, it cannot claim a place it has no rightful claim to,” he said.

The United Kingdom had administered the islands as the British Indian Ocean Territory after separating them from Mauritius ahead of its independence in 1965.

Following hearings at the International Court of Justice and direct negotiations between Mauritius and the UK for years, the UK agreed to return the islands.

The Maldivian government has formally submitted objections to the UK, rejecting the handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.