The Maldives and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation across key areas during the Second Senior Officials Talks, held in Canberra on 3 November 2025.
The discussions were co-chaired by Dr Hala Hameed, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, and Ms Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Senior officials from both countries participated, with Defence Policy Talks taking place earlier in the day at Australia’s Department of Defence.
The dialogue built on the outcomes of the inaugural Senior Officials Talks hosted in Malé in September 2024 and reflected the shared vision of both nations for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean region. Australia reaffirmed its position as a reliable partner for the Maldives, with discussions covering regional and national security, democracy, governance, economic prosperity, and adherence to international law and rules-based norms.
Both sides highlighted the importance of collaboration on climate change, maritime security, gender equality, and the prevention of transnational crime. Australia is working with the Maldives to address the impacts of climate change through its support to the UN Development Programme and the Blue Carbon Hub. The gifting of a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to the Maldives, announced in June 2025 by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan, was noted as a key step in enhancing the Maldives’ maritime security and sovereignty.
Education and capacity building were also central to the discussions. Over the past 60 years, nearly 750 Maldivians have received Australian scholarships, reflecting the strong educational link between the two countries. The talks reaffirmed the growing collaboration between Australian and Maldivian tertiary and vocational institutions.
Bilateral relations between the Maldives and Australia span more than five decades and have deepened further since Australia established its High Commission in Malé in 2023. The meeting underscored both governments’ shared commitment to an enduring partnership and identified new avenues for cooperation in the years ahead.
