Second UK-Maldives Strategic Dialogue 2025: joint communique
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-29)

The UK and Maldives held a second Strategic Dialogue on 28 May 2025 in Malé, Maldives, where they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

The Second Strategic Dialogue between the Republic of Maldives and the United Kingdom (UK) at the Senior Officials level was held on 28 May 2025 in Malé, Maldives.

Building on the outcomes of the inaugural Strategic Dialogue in 2023, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the Maldives-UK partnership through structured and regular engagement. Discussions focused on key thematic areas including economic and trade cooperation, security and defence collaboration, governance, human rights and the rule of law, higher education, visas and immigration, environment and climate change, and regional and multilateral co-operation.

Acknowledging the importance of enhancing economic links to elevate the bilateral partnership, the Maldives and the UK reviewed progress on trade and investment since the first Dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Both sides celebrated the growing trade and investment relationship and discussed further avenues to advance collaboration in fisheries, tourism, renewable energy and financial services. Cooperation on customs matters were discussed to facilitate trade.

The UK and the Maldives reiterated their shared commitment towards maintaining regional security, countering terrorism, violent extremism as well as serious and organised crime. The UK reaffirmed its support for capacity-building initiatives, including technical assistance and joint exercises in policing, defence, and maritime security.

Both sides reviewed UK support to governance, criminal justice reform and judicial independence in the Maldives. The UK reiterated its commitment to continue supporting the Maldives in its endeavours to consolidate democratic governance and strengthen human rights, and, welcomed continued dialogue on shared values.

The Maldives and the UK reaffirmed the importance of educational exchange and agreed to explore increasing opportunities for higher education through Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships. Recognising the increasing number of Maldivian students travelling to the UK for higher education, the Maldives raised visa and immigration matters, and both sides agreed to continue discussions to facilitate smoother processes for visa issuance.

Both countries recognised the importance of people-to-people exchanges in promoting mutual understanding between the 2 countries. They recognised the increasing numbers of visitor arrivals from the UK to the Maldives, and agreed to explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration at local levels, promote cultural co-operation, and conduct friendly exchanges between the 2 countries.

The UK and the Maldives discussed ongoing collaboration under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme and agreed to strengthen co-operation in marine conservation and climate resilience. Opportunities to co-operate in multilateral climate fora including the forthcoming COP30 were discussed and the key role that Maldives plays amongst Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) was recognised.

The Maldives and the UK exchanged views on regional developments and multilateral co-operation, including within the United Nations and the Commonwealth. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to leverage international support towards global issues impacting SIDS.

The Second Strategic Dialogue was convened in a hybrid format. The Dialogue was co-chaired for Maldives by Dr Hala Hameed, Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for the UK by Ben Mellor, Director, India and Indian Ocean Directorate at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office with delegations comprised of senior officials from both governments. The Dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to continue the Strategic Dialogue on an annual basis and to explore other opportunities to support a continued deepening of the bilateral relationship.