The ongoing debate surrounding the Maldives’ stance on the Chagos Archipelago has taken a renewed turn, with the opposition accused of misrepresenting the country’s current foreign policy and attempting to rewrite history on a matter of national importance.

In a recent meeting with a delegation from the European Parliament, a senior member of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) alleged that the Administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had altered its policy regarding Chagos. The Government has firmly rejected these claims as “unsubstantiated” and “deliberately misleading,” accusing the opposition of distorting facts for political gain.

Memories remain fresh of the previous administration’s controversial handling of the Chagos issue. During the tenure of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the government’s approach to the territorial dispute with Mauritius attracted widespread criticism. Many viewed the administration’s actions, particularly its reported recognition of Mauritian sovereignty over Chagos, as a betrayal of national interests.

Central to the controversy was a confidential letter allegedly sent by former President Solih to the Prime Minister of Mauritius, acknowledging the country’s claim over Chagos. The letter’s contents were never shared with the Maldivian Parliament’s National Security Committee, raising serious concerns over transparency and fuelling accusations of a covert agreement.

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) later issued a ruling on the maritime boundary dispute between the Maldives and Mauritius. While the Maldives was awarded 47,232 square kilometres of the disputed area, Mauritius received 45,331 square kilometres, leaving the Maldives with a smaller portion than it previously held.

Critics argue that this outcome was the direct result of the Solih administration’s failure to robustly defend the nation’s interests during the initial stages of the case in 2019. The lack of an adequate legal defence, coupled with the controversial recognition of Mauritius’ claim, is believed to have significantly weakened the Maldives’ position.

In contrast, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to take all necessary measures to recover the portion of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) lost under the previous administration. Speaking at last year’s Republic Day celebrations, he described the actions of the Solih government as unconstitutional and in violation of parliamentary procedure.

To address the matter, the current Administration has formed a high-level legal team, including a professor of maritime law from Malta and a King's Counsel from the United Kingdom. The team is also supported by former Attorney General Dr Mohamed Munawwar, a highly respected legal expert with extensive experience in international and ocean law.

Furthermore, the Government has formally informed the United Kingdom of the Maldives’ historical claims over Chagos, reinforcing its position that the matter remains unresolved.

Despite the Government’s ongoing efforts to rectify what it considers the missteps of the past, it has cautioned that attempts by the opposition to deflect blame or obscure the truth will not alter public opinion. The Solih administration, it contends, will be remembered for making a unilateral decision that led to the loss of a significant portion of the nation’s territorial waters, without due process or parliamentary approval.

Regardless of how vigorously the opposition attempts to rewrite the narrative, the public has not forgotten, and history, the Government asserts, will not absolve those responsible.

As the current Administration continues to pursue international legal avenues to reclaim the lost maritime territory, the Chagos issue remains a powerful symbol of both political contention and national sovereignty for the Maldives.