Open Letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel

Subject: Enabling Civic Communications of National Relevance through Diplomatic Channels

Issued by: Maldives-Chagos Sovereignty Initiative
Republic of Maldives – October 2025

Your Excellency,

We extend our respectful greetings and appreciation for your continued leadership in advancing the Maldives’ foreign policy with clarity, dignity, and national purpose.

In the course of our civic work under the Maldives – Chagos Sovereignty Initiative – a non-partisan research and advocacy effort dedicated to the preservation of Maldivian sovereignty and the completion of decolonisation, we have encountered a procedural limitation within our diplomatic outreach efforts.

It has been conveyed to us that Maldivian diplomatic missions are only able to forward communications to their host foreign ministries if those materials originate directly from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and not from civic or non-governmental sources. While we fully respect and understand this protocol, we believe there is room for a measured facilitation that strengthens both our diplomacy and civic participation.

We therefore humbly propose that Maldivian missions be permitted to share civic research materials of national relevance – such as open letters, policy briefs, and historical documentation, strictly for information purposes, accompanied by a disclaimer such as:

“Forwarded for your kind information from a Maldivian civic research initiative. The views expressed do not represent the official position of the Government of Maldives.”

This would not alter diplomatic protocol, but rather empower our missions to transparently share non-political civic contributions that support national interests – particularly in domains such as sovereignty, heritage, and decolonisation, where research and public participation complement official diplomacy.

Such facilitation would reflect a modern and confident foreign policy approach – one that recognizes that civic scholarship and State diplomacy can operate in synergy when both are guided by the same purpose: the defense and dignity of the Maldivian nation.

Your guidance and support in this matter would be a step toward more participatory and informed diplomacy, in keeping with our country’s democratic values and the spirit of inclusive statecraft that defines the Maldives’ international image.

With our highest respect and sincere regards,

Abdulla Rasheed
Administrative Custodian
Maldives–Chagos Sovereignty Initiative
Maldivians for Chagos
Email: admin@maldivians4chagos.com
Mobile: +960 7613632