From Cape Route Gateway to Geopolitical Flashpoint: Maldives Revives Historical Claim to Foalhavahi

During the Age of Sail, which extended from the 16th to the mid-19th century, before the remarkable engineering achievement of the Suez Canal's opening in 1869, the Chagos, Addu, and Huvadhoo Atolls, located in the southern Maldives, played a crucial role in aiding navigation across the expansive Indian Ocean. These atolls were not merely geographical features; they were essential waypoints for maritime routes connecting distant continents and cultures.

European fleets, particularly those following Vasco da Gama's pioneering route established in 1498 around the Cape of Good Hope, relied heavily on the seasonal monsoon winds that dictated the timing and success of their voyages between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The monsoons, known for their predictable shifts in wind patterns, presented both challenges and opportunities for sailors navigating these waters. Remote atolls like the Chagos, strategically positioned, offered not only occasional provisioning opportunities, such as fresh water and coconuts, but also served as crucial storm refuges, allowing weary sailors to shelter from the sudden tempestuous weather of the Indian Ocean.

The importance of these atolls extended beyond mere physical resources; they were integral to the survival and success of long-distance maritime expeditions. For example, the Chagos Archipelago, with its numerous islands and shallow lagoons, provided a safe harbor where ships could anchor while crews replenished supplies and rested. This was particularly vital during lengthy voyages, where access to fresh food and water could mean the difference between life and death for sailors facing the harsh realities of ocean travel. The lush palm trees and abundant marine life around these atolls attracted not only European explorers but also traders and pirates, who recognized the strategic advantages these islands offered within the bustling trade routes of the Indian Ocean.

Moreover, the navigational knowledge gained from these atolls contributed to the evolving cartography of the Indian Ocean. Sailors and explorers meticulously recorded their experiences and observations, leading to more accurate maps that would guide future generations of mariners. The interactions among various cultures in these regions, spurred by the presence of European fleets, also resulted in a rich exchange of goods, ideas, and practices. Thus, the Chagos, Addu, Fuwahmulah and Huvadhoo Atolls were not just isolated landforms; they were vibrant hubs of activity that shaped the maritime history of the Indian Ocean during a transformative period in global trade and exploration. Parallel to these routes, traditional dhow networks connected East Africa, Arabia, India, and island chains, with Maldivian vessels active in the cowry shell trade. Skilled Maldivian navigators, drawing on stars, winds, and currents, viewed the Chagos, known in Dhivehi as Foalhavahi, as a familiar southern frontier or waypoint amid equatorial calms or monsoon shifts. Oral traditions and historical accounts describe occasional stranding of fishermen or seasonal use for fishing and shelter, positioning the archipelago informally as the Maldives' southern maritime gateway.

The Maldives presents a compelling pre-colonial case. Situated approximately 300–500 km south of Addu Atoll, the archipelago serves as a natural maritime extension. Maldivian seafaring traditions, spanning over 2,500 years, have historically utilized the Chagos for navigation, fishing, and resource gathering. Supporting evidence includes:

• A 1560 royal decree from Sultan Hasan IX (exiled as Dom Manuel) asserting the "seven islands of Foalhavahi" (or Pullobay) as Maldivian territory, connected to southern atolls such as Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah, and Addu, predating European claims.

• Dhivehi gravestones inscribed in Dhivehi script, found on Diego Garcia and other islands. These feature Maldivian architectural styles, kinship notations, and burial practices, indicating a cultural presence long before the settlement of Mauritius.

Maldivian leaders have actively supported this claim. Former President Mohamed Nasheed, in 2022 and January 2026, emphasized the royal decree, oral traditions, and geographical proximity as evidence of a "far greater claim." Current President Mohamed Muizzu, in January and February 2026 interviews with the Daily Express, Newsweek, and others, asserted that the Maldives holds the "strongest claim" based on historical, geographical, cultural, and documentary evidence. Muizzu confirmed official correspondence with the UK and proposed seeking parliamentary approval to maintain US-UK operations at Diego Garcia under Maldivian sovereignty, offering a pragmatic solution to address security concerns. The proximity also supports ecological stewardship: shared atoll ecosystems allow for better protection of the Chagos’ pristine coral reefs, among the world's healthiest, against climate change and overfishing, unlike the more distant Mauritius.