President Muizzu’s Party Wins Maldives Polls; Will He Lean Towards India Or China?

By OB Bureau On Apr 22, 2024

New Delhi: In what could be a worrisome development for India, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s party scored a thumping victory in the island nation’s parliamentary election held on Sunday. Results showed a landslide victory with voters backing his tilt towards China and away from regional powerhouse and traditional benefactor India.

Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) had secured more than two-thirds of the 93-member parliament Majlis, according to provisional results from the Elections Commission of Maldives, NDTV reported.

The PNC had secured 66 out of 86 declared, already more than enough for a super-majority. The formal ratification of the results is expected to take a week and the new assembly is to be in office from early May.

This election was seen as a test for Muizzu’s plans to boost economic cooperation with China. Since taking over, the president has awarded major infrastructure contracts to Chinese state-owned companies. His party’s electoral victory is set to clear most obstacles for him.

Soon after his election, Muizzu visited Beijing and met Chinese president Xi Jinping. On his return, he said, “We may be small, but this doesn’t give them the licence to bully us.” While he did not name any country, the remark was seen as a swipe at India.

President Muizzu also pushed for the exit of 80-odd Indian soldiers who were stationed on the island for humanitarian work.

Howevr, last month, Muizzu acknowledged India’s financial support to Male and said “India will remain the Maldives’ closest ally”. At the close of last year, the Maldives owes India around $400.9 million.

As for China, expanding its role in the strategically-located Maldives is critical to its Indian Ocean push.

India has so far adopted a restrained approach and downplayed the strained ties. Asked about New Delhi-Male relations after Muizzu’s election, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had said neighbours need each other. “History and geography are very powerful forces. There is no escape from that,” he had said.

It remains to be seen which way Muizzu will swing.