The United Kingdom and the Republic of Maldives conducted their Third Strategic Dialogue at Senior Officials level in London on 17 September 2026. This engagement builds on previous dialogues held in 2023 and 2025, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to advancing their partnership through regular discussions.
Discussions encompassed a wide array of bilateral, regional, and global issues. Key areas included defence cooperation, maritime security, and counterterrorism, with the UK reiterating support for Maldives' capacity-building efforts through technical assistance and training.
Economically, both sides reviewed progress and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties. Maldives welcomed the UK's suspension of tariffs on tuna imports, which began on 20 May 2026 and is set to continue until 31 December 2028. Opportunities for cooperation in fisheries, tourism, renewable energy, and financial services were also discussed.
The dialogue also covered education, human capital development, and the growing links between their peoples, noting over 200,000 UK visitors to Maldives in 2025. Climate change, environmental protection, and marine conservation were also significant topics, with both countries agreeing to further cooperation, particularly in advance of COP31.