President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the Maldives is prepared to facilitate the resumption of meetings of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), offering to play a mediating role to help ease regional tensions and revive the bloc after nearly a decade of inactivity.

Speaking at the official ceremony commemorating the Maldives' 61st Independence Day, President Dr Muizzu described SAARC as an important regional organisation and expressed concern that it had remained inactive for the past nine years. He said reviving the association and restarting meetings among its member states were essential for maintaining peace, stability and development in South Asia.

The President said the Maldives has consistently advocated the peaceful resolution of disputes and called on countries with differences to return to dialogue. He added that if member states found it difficult to begin discussions, the Maldives was ready to take the initiative and serve as a mediator to help facilitate talks.

He also said the Maldives does not believe differences between countries should be resolved through war or conflict, reaffirming that peaceful dialogue would continue to guide the country's foreign policy.

Highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Maldives' membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), President Dr Muizzu said the country has remained at the forefront of the organisation's activities since joining. He added that the Government would continue strengthening relations with Arab and Islamic countries as part of a foreign policy that reflects the values and aspirations of the Maldivian people.

SAARC was established on 8 December 1985 to promote regional cooperation among South Asian nations. The organisation comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The association has remained largely inactive since 2016, when six member states, including India, boycotted the SAARC Summit scheduled to be held in Pakistan following an attack on Indian military personnel that India blamed on the Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed.