US: Important to find ways to work together with Maldives

US Special Envoy Sergio Gor (L) meets with Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel (R) on March 23, 2026. (Photo/X/Sergio Gor)

US Special Envoy for South and Central Asian affairs, Sergio Gor, recently concluded a one-day diplomatic visit to the Maldives. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss regional dynamics, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Although substantive discussions were held with the Foreign and Defense Ministers, the visit was marked by the absence of a meeting with President Mohamed Muizzu, reflecting the Maldivian government's cautious foreign policy and firm stance on maintaining neutrality in global military conflicts.

Sergio Gor, the US special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs, visited the Maldives for one day to hold strategic discussions.
The visit highlighted the 60-year milestone of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Maldives.
Meetings were held with Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel and Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon regarding bilateral and regional issues.
President Mohamed Muizzu did not meet the envoy, emphasizing his administration's policy of non-alignment and refusal to permit Maldivian territory for foreign military use.

It is important to find ways for the United States to work together with the Maldives, says Sergio Gor, the US special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs.

He made the remark in a post on X on Monday, after concluding a one-day visit to the Maldives, during which he held talks with Foreign Minster Dr. Abdulla Khaleel and Defense Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon.

According to Gor, who serves as both the US special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs and ambassador to India, the meetings focused on both “bilateral issues and regional dynamics.”

Gor also noted that this year marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and the US, and said that it is important to find ways for the two countries to work together.

“This year marks 60 years of relations between our nations and it is important that we identify areas of strategic importance and find ways to work together,” he said.

Just wrapped up a day in Malé, Maldives where I met with Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel and Minister of Defense Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon to discuss both bilateral issues and regional dynamics. This year marks 60 years of relations between our nations and it is important that… pic.twitter.com/dxKr4vT2Fl
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) March 23, 2026

Gor had also been scheduled to meet with Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during his short visit, but had left for India without meeting him.

The timing of Gor’s visit to the Maldives had resulted in increased media scrutiny due to the US-Israeli war on Iran. When questioned regarding the visit during a press briefing on Monday morning, President Muizzu said that while his administration will continue to engage with representatives of all countries except for Israel, he does not wish to speak with Gor about the Middle East war, and will not allow for Maldives’ territory to be used for the ongoing war or any other foreign military conflict.

He also reaffirmed the Maldives’ long held stand of non‑involvement and non‑alignment in foreign military operations.