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President Mohamed Muizzu said the Maldives is ready to help restart stalled SAARC meetings. His offer spotlights a fresh push for regional dialogue despite long-running political and security differences.
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Male,UPDATED: Jul 26, 2026 17:50 IST
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday that his country is ready to help facilitate the resumption of SAARC meetings, which have remained stalled for the past nine years.
Speaking at the Maldives' 61st Independence Day ceremony, Muizzu described the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation as an important regional organisation and said reviving it was essential for peace and stability in the region. He also said the Maldives was prepared to play a leading role in promoting dialogue among member states.
SAARC comprises India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. According to state-run Public Service Media, Muizzu said the Maldives has consistently supported the peaceful resolution of disputes and is prepared to facilitate the restart of meetings among member countries.
The last SAARC Summit, the 18th Summit, was held in Kathmandu on November 26 and 27, 2014. The 19th SAARC Summit was scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan in 2016, but it did not take place. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, summit-level engagement within SAARC has remained stalled because of a lack of consensus among member states and concerns relating to cross-border terrorism.
Muizzu said, "The Maldives calls on all parties with differing views to come together around the table, prioritise regional development and peace, and work in a spirit of cooperation." He added, "If there are difficulties in doing so, the Maldives stands ready to take the initiative and serve as a mediator to help advance those discussions."
SAARC was established with the signing of its Charter in Dhaka on December 8, 1985, and its Secretariat was set up in Kathmandu on January 17, 1987. According to the MEA, the SAARC region is home to nearly 1.9 billion people, about 24 per cent of the world's population, with a combined GDP of around USD 5 trillion. Muizzu's remarks underlined the Maldives' readiness to support efforts to revive the regional grouping after years of inactivity.
With PTI Inputs
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Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 26, 2026 17:50 IST
