Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has written a letter to British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham inviting him for talks on the disputed Chagos Islands. The Maldives has expressed concerns about the UK's decision to transfer sovereignty over the islands to Mauritius, with Muizzu claiming that his country has the most legitimate claim based on historical ties. In May 2025, Britain signed an agreement with Mauritius to transfer the islands, but the plan was put on hold in April this year due to opposition from other parties. The talks are aimed at maintaining a "reliable and constructive partnership" between the two countries and promoting stability in the Indian Ocean.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-08,
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Story summary
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has invited British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham for talks on the disputed Chagos Islands, which are currently under a deal between Mauritius and the United Kingdom. In a letter, Muizzu expressed concern about the UK's decision to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius, citing that the Maldives has the most legitimate claim to the archipelago. The UK had agreed in May 2025 to hand over the Chagos Islands, which are home to a US-UK military base, but later put the plan on hold in April 2026. The dispute is significant because of the strategic location and military importance of the islands.
Written for “Mauritius Prime Minister Visit” on 2026-09-08,
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Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) invited British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham for talks on the disputed Chagos Islands.
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Muizzu → invite → Islands
In a letter to the British Prime Minister, President Muizzu “expressed the Maldives’ concerns regarding the United Kingdom’s decision to proceed with the handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius”, his office said in a statement.
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office → express → statement
In May 2025, Britain signed an agreement with Mauritius to transfer sovereignty over the contested and strategically located Chagos Islands, saying the move would ensure the future of a U.S.-U.K. military base vital to British security.
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move → sign → security
U.S. President Donald Trump criticised the agreement, calling it “a big mistake”.
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Trump → criticise → it
In April this year, however, the British government put on hold its deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands — home to the U.S.-British Diego Garcia air base — and shelved the legislation needed for the move.
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government → put → move
Since the beginning of this year, the Maldives has voiced opposition to the United Kingdom’s decision to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago (Foalhavahi) to Mauritius, with President Muizzu maintaining that the Maldives holds “the most legitimate claim” to the archipelago based on historical ties between the Maldives and Chagos.
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Maldives → voice → Maldives
In his letter, Mr. Muizzu highlighted the “shared history and cultural ties” between the Indian Ocean archipelago, as well as the Maldives’s “longstanding support for major marine conservation and scientific research expeditions in the region.”
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Muizzu → highlight → region
He “reaffirmed” the Maldives’s commitment” to maintaining a reliable and constructive partnership with the United Kingdom on matters relating to Chagos, while safeguarding the legitimate interests of the Maldivian state and its people, his office said.
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office → reaffirm → state
Mr. Muizzu “expressed hope that renewed engagement and partnership” between the two countries would contribute to stability and security in the Indian Ocean, “particularly at a time of increasing global uncertainty”, his office further said.
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office → express → uncertainty
