The Ministry of Defence has affirmed that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) will continue to safeguard and monitor the country’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ), in line with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s directive.

The announcement followed the President’s remarks at the opening sitting of the 20th People’s Majlis, where he reiterated that the government does not accept any alteration to the nation’s territories as defined in the Constitution and laws. He emphasised that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including ceded waters, is already established under the Law on Maritime Areas, based on archipelagic base points.

The Defence Ministry highlighted that the Constitution entrusts the President with maintaining the independence and security of the Maldives, and that the Armed Forces are mandated to protect the nation’s sovereignty and national interests. The Maldives’ territory is defined as its land, air, sea, and submarine areas within archipelagic baselines, along with a 200-nautical-mile EEZ, recognised since the 1976 Gulf of Mannar tri-junction agreement.

To strengthen surveillance, the MNDF Coast Guard ship Darumavantha and MNDF Air Corps drones have been deployed to monitor the Southern SEZ. The ministry noted that in the past two years, the Government has introduced modern sea and air vessels and expanded resources to enhance maritime security.

Reassuring the public, the Defence Ministry pledged that the MNDF will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure a safe, secure, and environmentally sustainable maritime environment, enabling the Maldives to achieve both economic and social benefits in accordance with the law.