The Maldives has formally established an embassy in Qatar, marking a renewed effort to strengthen ties with the Gulf nation across a range of sectors, including education, politics, defence, and economic cooperation.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced the decision under Article 116(h) of the Constitution, which grants the President authority to determine the diplomatic representation of the country. The embassy will operate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and represents the tenth overseas diplomatic mission of the Maldives.
Qatar and the Maldives first established diplomatic relations on 26 May 1984. However, ties were severed in 2017 during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, in response to a wider rift in the Gulf region. Diplomatic relations were restored on 15 March 2021 under the presidency of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Qatar currently maintains a non-resident ambassador to the Maldives, Jassim bin Jaber JB Al-Sorour, who is based in Sri Lanka. He presented his credentials to President Muizzu in September 2023.
The opening of the embassy in Doha is expected to pave the way for closer engagement in areas of mutual interest, while also providing institutional support for the growing number of Maldivians residing and working in Qatar.
