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Maldives

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Maldives. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Malé

Head of State

President Mohamed Muizzu

Head of Government

President Mohamed Muizzu

A Zodiac takes tourists up close to a glacier on the Antarctic Peninsula, in the Southern Ocean. Photo: Shutterstock

Tourism

Want a special way to mark World Oceans Day? Try these luxury experiences

Adventure awaits the outgoing traveller on these 5 luxury holiday ideas that showcase the best of ocean exploration.

8 Jun 2025 - 8:30AM

Hong Kong police

Editorial | Joint police crackdown on cross-border scams delivers swift justice

6 Jun 2025 - 6:30AM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong helps seize HK$157 million in cross-border online scam operation

3 Jun 2025 - 10:18PMvideocam

United States

Opinion | Why UK-Mauritius deal over military base is more than a legal milestone

Once seen as a relic of colonialism, the Chagos Archipelago has evolved into a flashpoint in global strategic competition.

28 May 2025 - 7:25AM

Asia travel

Where to catch the most photogenic beach sunsets in Asia

If you’re chasing the perfect sunset shot, head to one of these Asian beaches, all of which offer social media gold.

15 May 2025 - 5:02PM

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Maldives plans US$8.8 billion tax-free ‘financial freezone’ to ease debt woes

The Indian Ocean nation hopes a massive Middle Eastern investment will transform the tourism hotspot into a global financial hub by 2030.

5 May 2025 - 3:15PMvideocam

Israel

Maldives joins Malaysia in call for ‘legitimate’ Palestinian state amid Gaza war

The Maldives reiterated call for a Palestinian state comes two weeks after the island nation implemented an entry ban on Israeli passport holders.

28 Apr 2025 - 3:51PM

The InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. The Maldives backs the idea of Palestinian statehood, aligning with Malaysia’s stance against Israeli actions.

Photo: Leona Liu

Climate change

Opinion | Asia can’t afford to wait for the US to wake up to its climate duty

As the US walks away again, Europe, China and others need to fill the climate reparation funding gap, not out of charity but responsibility.

29 Mar 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

India

India boosts aid to Maldives in bid to ‘outdo’ China’s influence in region

In a sign of an ‘uptick in bilateral relations’, India has earmarked US$69 million in financial aid for the Maldives in its latest budget.

6 Feb 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

India

Did India plot to oust Maldives’ Muizzu or is it just a ‘conspiracy theory’?

Such a move would yield little advantage and India is unlikely to deviate from its policy of strategic patience with neighbours, analysts say.

2 Jan 2025 - 6:56PMvideocam

Mohamed Muizzu, president of the Maldives. Photo: AFP

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

My Take | South Asia needs to get its political house in order to turn around its economy

Political violence and social unrest have dented support for South Asian countries from investors and multilateral institutions.

27 Dec 2024 - 10:30AM

A protest in Multan on Monday against US sanctions on some Pakistani companies allegedly involved in long-range missile technology. Photo: EPA-EFE

Women and gender

Opinion | Faster, bolder action needed to empower women across the Asia-Pacific

Great strides made since 1995 Beijing Declaration of women’s rights but progress still uneven and often fragile. True equality remains elusive.

15 Nov 2024 - 5:45AMvideocam

Bangladesh

As China’s navy docks in Bangladesh, India watches with ‘growing concern’

Beijing is keen to cement ties with the new interim government in Dhaka – but analysts say all India sees is ‘continuous Chinese build-up’.

20 Oct 2024 - 3:00PM

India

Allies again? India’s ‘strategic patience’ with Maldives appears to pay off

During President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to New Delhi, both sides announced partnerships in areas such as currency swap and port development.

8 Oct 2024 - 5:31PMvideocam

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior to a meeting in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong transport

Singapore Airlines offers Hong Kong fliers tickets discounted by up to 60%

Move set to put pressure on Cathay Pacific to also offer discounts as competition among regional rivals intensifies.

26 Sep 2024 - 6:55PM

Bali is among the destinations that Singapore Airlines has included in its promotional campaign. Photo: EPA-EFE

Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s Fosun in talks to sell stake in Club Med to Singapore’s CapitaLand

The firm, part of Temasek Holdings-owned conglomerate CapitaLand Group, seeks to acquire from 20 to 30 per cent of the hotelier.

17 Sep 2024 - 4:52PM

Hong Kong transport

Luxury airline forced to delay Hong Kong-Maldives service launch by 1 year

Business-class only airline Beond says launch delay due to long waits for aircraft deliveries, but stresses importance of Hong Kong and mainland Chinese markets.

24 Aug 2024 - 1:30PM

Bangladesh

Opinion | Unrest in Bangladesh is canary in coal mine for Global South

To surpass the West, the so-called ‘rest’ must first reckon with economic mismanagement, youth unemployment and shifting public opinion.

21 Aug 2024 - 8:40AMvideocam

China-India relations

China’s scientific sea voyages might rile India, but will they lead to clash?

Chinese research ships in Indian Ocean will raise alarms, but New Delhi is unlikely to escalate unless it feels threatened, analysts say.

16 Aug 2024 - 12:04AM

India

After Bangladesh chaos, is India losing its South Asia allies to China?

India may need to redefine its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy to accommodate China’s presence in the region, analysts note.

16 Aug 2024 - 9:24AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Maldives seeks to reset strained ties with India in bid to woo back tourists

The rapprochement comes after relations nosedived over the Indian troop presence in the Maldives and Malé drew closer to Beijing.

12 Aug 2024 - 4:15PM

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with the Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu during his swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on June 9, 2024. Photo: Bloomberg

Bangladesh

Opinion | Can democracy in South Asia withstand US-China rivalry?

From rising authoritarianism to political instability, unrest throughout the region has intensified alongside shifting alliances.

10 Aug 2024 - 5:59AMvideocam

India

Oceans apart: are China and India drifting into troubled waters?

China’s ports and ship deployments in India’s backyard raise concerns of control and influence in Indian Ocean as next possible flashpoint.

3 Aug 2024 - 12:43PMvideocam

Asia travel

Review | Waldorf Astoria vs Raffles Meradhoo – which is the Maldives’ best resort?

Two luxe 5-star resorts in the Maldives offer their own approach to island life – but both have sumptuous villas, delicious food, relaxing spas, and plenty of sun, sand and surf

13 Jul 2024 - 8:45AM

Tourism

Asian Angle | Ocean’s treasure: Maldives’ blue economy builds on traditions, folk stories

The Maldives’ development model, which has aimed to make better use of its marine resources, plays a key role in its survival and growth.

7 Jul 2024 - 11:00AM

A beach in Hulhumale, the Maldives. Photo: AFP

Crime

Minister arrested for performing ‘black magic’ on Maldives president

State environment minister Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem was remanded in custody for a week pending investigations.

27 Jun 2024 - 4:20PM

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Video | The Maldives bans Israeli tourists

4 Jun 2024 - 5:30PM

Israel

Israelis banned from luxury Indian Ocean tourist hotspot Maldives over Gaza war

The Islamic island nation will impose a ban on all Israeli passports, said the office of the president, announcing a national fundraising campaign in ‘solidarity with Palestine’.

3 Jun 2024 - 9:54AM

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