Navigating a Fractured Gulf: The Maldives’ Foreign Policy Challenge
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Navigating a Fractured Gulf: The Maldives’ Foreign Policy Challenge
Summary:
- Maldives’ foreign policy remains tightly linked to the Middle East, with the Muizzu government (since Sept 2023) intensifying ties to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Türkiye, while maintaining historical Gulf alignments.
- Economic diplomacy is central: Middle East loans have risen (budgetary support via loans grew from $96M in 2023 to $257M in 2026); grant aid is limited. High-level visits target development funding, trade, and investment.
- Türkiye has emerged
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