Former Attorney General Dr. Mohamed Munavvar has stated that the Chagos Archipelago is not part of the Maldives, and that no works were done to claim sovereignty over the archipelago.

Speaking during a press conference at Dhimyath Stay regarding ITLOS' decision over the maritime boundary dispute between the Maldives and Mauritius, Dr. Munavvar said that the Maldives has now lost the continental shelf described while drafting the Maritime Zones of Maldives Act.

Dr. Munavvar stated that when the Maritime Zones of Maldives Act was drafted, the territorial waters of the Maldives were described as 200 nautical miles from the baseline.

He further added that there are no boundary disputes with any other countries in the South that are legitimate, however, added that there are disputes from the North with India and Sri Lanka. He noted that in case of such disputes, both countries can discuss and act under an agreement acceptable by both parties.

Dr. Munavvar also state that the government had intentionally 'let go' of a 200 nautical mile area, over which the Maldives had been laying claim for years.