Maldives foreign policy is founded upon pursuing the key national interests of national development, international

peace and security, promoting human rights and upholding the principles of the UN Charter. Accordingly, Maldives is
party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and numerous conventions promoting international trade and
development, peace, environmental protection, health, and human rights.

Current Foreign Policy

Vision

To strive to make Maldivians proud by making the country a resilient nation

Mission

To increase opportunities for the economic advancement of Maldivians and to promote the national interests of the
Maldives through innovative approaches

Principles

Sovereign equality of States in accordance with international law

A rule-based and inclusive international system

Non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries

The supremacy of diplomacy in managing and resolving global problems

Friendship with all countries based on mutual respect

Goals

Enhance the security and national sovereignty of the Maldives through increased bilateral and multilateral engagement

Protect the Islamic identity of the Maldives and help to promote the values of Islam internationally

Increase the economic resilience of the Maldives

Promote greater regional cooperation in South Asia

Provide quality consular services for Maldivians

Promote efficiency and professionalism in the service

Global presence

Maldives retains diplomatic relations with 135 countries, and maintains 13 resident missions in Bangladesh, China, the
European Union, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Nations (Geneva), the
United Nations (New York) and the United Kingdom.

Following Independence, Maldives joined the United Nations (UN) in 1965 and became a founding member of the South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 1985. Maldives later became a member of the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) in 1995, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) in 2005 and the International Labor
Organization (ILO) in 2009. Currently, Maldives is a member of 63 international organizations.
Furthermore, in recent years Maldives has taken lead role in promoting regional collaboration and security in South Asia
by hosting the SARRC summit in 2011 and served as Secretary-General of SAARC, with H.E. Mr Ahmed Saleem from
2011 till 2014.

Climate change

Maldives recognises that climate change is the biggest threat of our times, threatening not just the existence of
Maldives, but the entire planet. The interests of all countries can only be achieved by combatting this threat.

As a prominent voice in the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the G77, Maldives has taken a lead role in
international negotiations on climate change and environmental protection. Maldives seeks genuine progress in climate
change politics – binding commitments that will tackle the urgent threat of climate change in practice.

On environmental issues, Maldives leads by example. As one of only three counties to have ever graduated from the
United Nations’ ‘Least Developed Countries’ category, Maldives has achieved much while relying on sustainable
practices. By establishing the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, pledging to turn the whole of Maldives into a
Biosphere Reserve by 2017, and committing to become the world’s first carbon neutral country by 2020, Maldives hopes
to demonstrate that an alternative model of development is possible.
The Maldives’ economic freedom score is 53.2, making its economy the 141st freest in the 2019 Index. Its overall score
has increased by 2.1 points, with leaps in scores for government spending and trade freedom outpacing declines in
government integrity and judicial effectiveness. Maldives is ranked 37th among 43 countries in the Asia–Pacific region,
and its overall score is below the regional and world averages.

Funded in part by revenues from tourist visits, hotel and infrastructure-related construction recently surpassed tourism
as the main driver of growth. The Maldives’ economy has also benefited from rapid growth in its fisheries sectors and
other tourism-related industries. To guard against future boom-and-bust cycles, the economy needs greater
diversification to protect it from global slowdowns. Other reforms to improve the business environment are also
needed, as are reforms in public finance and stronger efforts against corruption, cronyism, and a growing drug problem.

BACKGROUND

Opposition politician Ibrahim Mohamed Solih handily defeated incumbent President Abdulla Yameen in the 2018
elections, surprising many and winning 58 percent of the vote. In 2015, Yameen’s government had sentenced former
President Mohamed Nasheed to 13 years in prison based on dubious allegations, prompting large protests and
cancellation of a planned state visit by India’s prime minister. Political tensions had continued as Yameen was widely
perceived as seeking to weaken democratic institutions and curtail civil liberties and had moved the country closer to
China at the expense of relations with India. The Muslim-majority Maldives archipelago lies southwest of India in the
Arabian Sea. Driven by the rapid growth of its tourism and fisheries sectors, the Maldives has rapidly become a middle-
income country.

Property rights are generally weak, and most land is owned by the government and leased to private parties. The
judiciary is legally independent but subject to executive influence. Laws are inconsistently enforced and sometimes
target political opponents. Corruption pervades the government. Outrage at a biggest-ever corruption scandal involving
the theft of millions in tourism revenues helped to fuel the opposition’s victory in the September 2018 election.

The Maldives’ government levies no personal income or corporate tax. Bank profits are subject to a profits tax. The
overall tax burden equals 20.5 percent of total domestic income. Over the past three years, government spending has
amounted to 36.1 percent of the country’s output (GDP), and budget deficits have averaged 7.9 percent of GDP. Public
debt is equivalent to 68.1 percent of GDP.

Impediments to sustained private-sector growth and diversification are considerable, caused in large part by the lack of
supportive policies and infrastructure. Reforms to improve the business environment have been uneven. A new
approval process has made obtaining a construction permit more difficult. The large public sector employs much of the
labor force. The government’s budget for 2018 included food and electricity subsidies.

The combined value of exports and imports is equal to 150.4 percent of GDP. The average applied tariff rate is 11.2
percent, and nontariff barriers persist. The government screens foreign investment, and state-owned enterprises
undermine investment expansion. The Maldives’ shallow financial sector is dominated by banking. Costly credit and
limited access to financial services impede development of a vibrant private sector.
Myanmar's Economic Policy

According to the analysis of Myanmar economic growth potential, the Union government released the following 12
points Economic Policy on 29 July 2016.

to increase financial resources by using a transparent, good and strong public financial management system

to make state-owned businesses more successful, to privatize some possible state-owned businesses and to support
small and medium enterprises which support job opportunities and economic growth

to nurture human resources that can create a modern developed economy and to develop academic and professional
subjects

to develop infrastructure such as electricity, roads and ports, and to set up “Data ID Card System”, “Digital Government
Strategy” and “e-Government System”

to create job opportunities for all Myanmar citizens who live in Myanmar and who arrived back from foreign countries
to Myanmar and to give high priority in the short term to the businesses that can create many job opportunities

to support the harmonious development of agriculture, livestock and industrial sectors and implementation of a well-
balancing economic structure between agriculture and industrial sectors to enhance inclusive development, food
security and exports

to improve private sector in accordance with market oriented economy, the government will separately draft and
implement policies which allow every citizen to freely operate their desired businesses and promote foreign
investments, and the government will put efforts to protect copyrights and rule of law

to establish financial system that can support sustainable development of households, farmers and businesses in order
to reach financial stability

to establish cities that are compatible with environmental conservation, to enhance public services, to expand more
public places and to protect cultural heritages

to establish an effective and fair tax system in order to increase the country's revenue and to protect the people's rights
and their property rights by enacting laws and procedures

to adopt techniques and procedures that will support intellectual property rights in order to encourage abilities related
to innovation and advanced technology

to identify the business situations that are likely to change in the ASEAN region and other regions in order to establish
our businesses in accordance with great wisdom
Myanmar’s Foreign Policy

As far as dealing with international community and domestic unrest, Myanmar’s military leaders relied on a well-tested
strategy: While repressing the general population and imprisoning people who opposed the regime, it tried to appease
international outrage with promises to talk with the opposition. When world attention quickly shifted to new crises, the
generals tightened their grip again. These days the Myanmar government seems more flexible, accommodating,
accepting or criticism and opponents and willing to engage the outside world.

According to Myanmar’s The Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “A State attains some of its national objectives by adopting and
implementing its domestic policies. However as it is interrelated with other states, it becomes necessary to adopt
policies that would persuade other states to react favorably. To attain such objectives, a state needs to establish
diplomatic relations with other states and work in concert towards joint resolutions and cooperative implementations of
common issues. The conduct of such relations in a systematic and consistent manner is said to be the Foreign Policy of a
State. Both domestic and Foreign Policies are intended to attain objectives of national interest. They are interrelated and
mutually reinforcing. To study the Foreign Policy of a State it is necessary to observe the basic objectives of its policy or
its fundamental strategy. In adopting a Foreign Policy, States usually adopt one of the following principles: a)
isolationism; b) non-alignment; c) polarization. Since achieving independence, and for quite some time thereafter,
Myanmar has adopted and practised an “independent”and “non-aligned”Foreign Policy. [Source: Myanmar’s The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs <>]

“Evolution of the objectives of this policy may be observed as follows: A) At the time of Myanmar’s independence in
1948 , the international system has an Eastern and Western bloc, between which a “Cold War” was raging. It was also
the time when colonial nations were regaining their independence.These newly independent states were in favour of
adopting “independent” Foreign Policies,” “independent”in the sense of being totally free of outside influence. B) For
Myanmar, which wrested independence with great difficulty, only an “independent” Foreign Policy was congruent with
independence. C) Concurrently with independence, Myanmar faced an internal insurgency and therefore wished to
avoid a disastrous contention on its soil between the Eastern and Western blocs.Hence it wished to be non-aligned
between the two great blocs. D) At the time of independence, it was essential to prioritize on economic and social
reconstruction.It was declared at that time that foreign assistance , without any strings attached from both sides, will be
accepted. E) As Myanmar is geographically situated between two highly populous nations, India and China, it desired to
be independent and non-aligned. For the above mentioned reasons Myanmar consistently practised an Independent
and non-aligned Foreign Policy. <>

“Beginning in 1971 Myanmar transformed its independent and non-aligned Foreign Policy to an independent and active
Foreign Policy. The State Law and Order Restoration Council , by its Declaration 3/88 of 18.9.88 promulgated that it
would continue to adhere to the independent and active foreign policy.In practising its Independent and Active Foreign
Policy, Myanmar will not align itself with any bloc on international issues except to consistently stand on the side that is
right.Myanmar also actively participates in activities for world peace; opposes war, imperialism and colonialsm; and
maintains friendly relations with all countries. <>

“Myanmar practises the Independent and Active Foreign Policy in accordance with the following principles: 1) respect of
and adherence to the principle of equality among peoples and among nations and the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-
existence; 2) taking a non-aligned, independent and just stand in international issues; 3) maintaining friendly relations
with all nations, and good-neighbourly relations with neighbouring countries; 4) continued support of, and active
participation in, the United Nations and its affiliated organisations; 5) pursuance of mutually beneficial bilateral and
multilateral cooperation programmes; 6) regional consultation and beneficial cooperation in regional economic and
social affairs; 7) active participation in the maintenance of international peace and security and the creation of an
equitable economic order and opposition to imperialism, colonialism, intervention, aggression and hegemonism; 8)
acceptance of foreign assistance which is beneficial to national development, provided there are no strings attached. <>

“In 1954 Myanmar, China and India, during Chinese Premier Chou En Lai’s visit to India and Myanmar expounded the
Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. Accordingly, on 28.6.1954 China and India signed in New Delhi and on 29.6.1954
Myanmar and China signed in Yangon, agreements to adhere to these Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. The Five
Principles of Peaceful Co-existence are: 1) mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; 2) to
abide by mutual non-aggression; 3) non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; 4) respect for mutual equality and
to work for mutual benefit; and; 5) peaceful co-existence. The above Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence still
steadfastly remain the main cornerstone of Myanmar Foreign Policy. <>

“In matters of world affairs and international issues, in line with the principles and purposes of the United Nations and
on the basis of the principles of Peaceful Co-existence, Myanmar has acted as follows; 1) actively participating in United
Nations activities in accordance with its own basic principle; 2) consistently supporting disarmament; 3) opposing arms
race, production and sales; 4) supporting national liberation movements; 5) supporting decolonialization; 6) opposing
aggression of imperialists; 7) opposing colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination; 8) supporting efforts to ensure
world peace; and; 9) opposing aggressive imperialistic wars. <>

Foreign Policy Towards Myanmar

Hannah Beech wrote in Time, ““Beginning in the 1990s, in response to the regime's murderous rule, many Western
governments imposed economic sanctions on Burma. The financial restrictions were tightened after the bloodshed of
2007. But over the past few years, an influx of investment from Asian countries, particularly China, has poured money
into the pockets of the top brass, blunting the effect of the economic sanctions, which Aung San Suu Kyi has supported.
[Source: Hannah Beech, Time, January 21, 2013; November 29, 2010 *]

Aung San Suu Kyi has been a key element of Myanmar’s foreign policy since the 1990s. Every time that the junta has
released her it has demanded concessions from the international community. Every time she is imprisoned the political
and economic screws are tightened. There have been an number of overseas protest calling for the release of Aung San
Suu Kyi and political prisoners and various reforms in Myanmar . A number of Nobel Peace Prize winners such as
Desmond Tutu and former world leaders like Vaclav Havel have been involved in petitions, United Nations actions
against Myanmar and efforts to free Suu Ki

While the U.S. and other nations imposed sanctions on Myanmar, other nations such China, India, Thailand and
Singapore continued to do business here. While Western nations opted for a confrontational approach to dealing with
Myanmar that emphasized sanctions and ostracism, the nations in Asia tended to be more gentle and neighborly. Some
countries such as China trade freely with Myanmar and providing the military regime with aid and weapons. Japan has
also carried on with various kinds of economic relations with Myanmar.

Sanctions have placed on Myanmar by the United States, the European Union and a number of international donor
agencies strengthened Myanmar’s ties with its neighbors such as China, India, Bangladesh and Thailand—and Japan and
South Korea too. Myanmar has signed various agreements with these countries and has carried on various kinds of
trade. Through ASEAN the countries of Southeast Asia have made some threats directed at Myanmar about this and that
but have not followed up with concrete action. Without the cooperation of Myanmar’s neighbors the sanctions had only
a limited effect.