The diplomatic relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives were established on March 15, 1978. Since then, it has strengthened notably, with milestones including the appointment of Ahmed Rasheed as the first Maldivian Ambassador to the UAE in 2012. Further enhancing this bond, the UAE established its Embassy in the Maldives on March 3, 2019, with His Excellency Dr. Saeed Muhammad Al Shamsi assuming ambassadorial duties on March 25, 2019.

Foreign direct investments from the UAE in the Maldives has grown exponentially in recent decades, with large scale investments in tourism, aviation, infrastructure and housing.

Agreements between the Maldives and the UAE have primarily focused on infrastructure development, including projects related to airports, harbors, and resorts. Additionally, there have been agreements aimed at promoting tourism and encouraging investment across various sectors of the Maldivian economy.

In terms of trade, the United Arab Emirates has experienced consistent growth in exports to the Maldives, including refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, and gravel and crushed stone. Similarly, the Maldives' exports to the United Arab Emirates, such as fish fillets and other commodities, have also shown steady growth over time. The UAE is the single largest source market for export to the Maldives by volume.