Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort, Rangali, Alif Dhaal Atoll, Maldives

Since 1996, the Maldives has been the official progress monitor of the Indian Ocean Commission. In 2002, the Maldives began to express interest in the Commission but as of 2008 had not applied for membership. Maldive's interest relates to its identity as a small island state, especially economic development and environmental preservation, and its desire for closer relations with France, a main actor in the IOC region. The Maldives is a founding member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, SAARC, and as former protectorate of Great Britain, joined the Commonwealth in 1982, some 17 years after gaining independence from Great Britain. The Maldives enjoys close ties with Commonwealth members Seychelles and Mauritius. The Maldives and Comoros are also both members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The Maldives has refused to negotiate with Mauritius over the demarcation of the maritime border between the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory, instead continuing discussions with the United Kingdom, who under international law, retains sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago.
Language and culture
Maldivian culture is heavily influenced by geographical proximity to Sri Lanka and southern India.