Pres. Muizzu’s UK visit yields little beyond a corridor photo with the King, leaving Chagos issue unaddressed

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has concluded his official visit to the United Kingdom without addressing the Chagos issue, with the only notable moment being a brief photo opportunity with the King in a corridor.

Taking to social media platform ‘X’ on Friday evening, the President’s Office revealed that the Maldivian leader’s UK trip was a “successful visit". Many had hoped that during this trip, he would discuss with relevant UK authorities the issue of "reclaiming" the part of the Chagos waters that he had promised to recover for the Maldives during his presidential campaign.

Neither the Maldivian nor the British government has confirmed whether any substantive discussions occurred during the visit, including the meeting with David Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary and the highest-ranking British official to meet President Muizzu on this trip.

Key events during the visit included a meeting with King Charles III, the launch of the “From Maldives” brand aimed at promoting Maldivian fishery products, and the Maldives-UK Business Forum.

During his official visit to the UK, President Muizzu did not hold any meetings with Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the UK opposition.

President Muizzu also attended the Maldives-UK Business Forum. While the President’s Office highlighted the presentation of significant investment opportunities at the event, it did not specify whether any concrete outcomes were secured.

Muizzu also visited the UK Parliament’s House of Commons. However, his visit to the House of Commons and his meeting with Speaker Right Honorable Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP during his high-level trip to the United Kingdom, went unreported by the House of Commons media.

Discussions were held on strengthening bilateral relations, highlighting the sustainable ties between the Maldives and the United Kingdom, especially in areas such as environmental protection, sustainable tourism, fisheries, and the promotion of democratic governance.

After the meeting, the president reportedly signed the Distinguished Visitors' Book and then toured the Palace of Westminster, according to the President's Office.

Further, no concrete outcomes emerged from the meeting between UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the Maldivian president either.

Given that David Lammy serves as the UK Foreign Secretary, and in light of the Muizzu administration’s pledge to reclaim the Chagos Archipelago and the maritime area recently awarded by an international court, this meeting would have presented a prime opportunity for the Maldives to raise the issue. However, the government has made no mention of any such discussion or consultation having taken place.

In addition to this, there has been no disclosure of any discussion with Lammy regarding the high duty imposed on fish imported by the UK from the Maldives.

It has been revealed that the news released by the President's Office contains general phrases about strengthening relations, without implying anything specific. The President's Office statement noted that the main focus of Wednesday's meeting was on discussing sustainable ways to strengthen and solidify relations between the Maldives and the United Kingdom.

Further, it was highlighted that discussions were held on increasing cooperation in areas such as the fisheries sector, climate change adaptation efforts, increasing renewable energy, and expanding educational and scholarship opportunities. The President's Office also mentioned that the two officials talked about strengthening ties in other important areas.

The meeting concluded with assurances of continued efforts to further strengthen the close relationship between the Maldives and the UK. However, it was not specified which areas or what achievements this would entail.

The post from the Maldives Foreign Ministry also did not mention any important matters being discussed or any agreements reached. It briefly stated that discussions were held on matters of mutual interest between the two countries, without providing any details.

The President's Office had stated that President Muizzu departed for the UK on July 15 to participate in high-level meetings and events. Several government ministers also accompanied President Muizzu.

This was Muizzu's second official trip to the UK this year.

Muizzu’s official trip to the UK in mid-July came at a time he recently concluded an official trip to Singapore from June 30 to July 2 with the First Lady and a high-level government delegation.