The ruling party of the Maldives, President Mohamed Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC), is expected to win a two-thirds majority in the recent parliamentary election, according to local media. This result would likely lead the Indian Ocean island nation further towards China and away from its longtime ally India. The PNC is projected to win at least 62 of the 93 parliamentary seats, while the main opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) is expected to take 15 seats. Both Beijing and New Delhi have been trying to secure influence in the Indo-Pacific region by courting the Maldives.
President Muizzu, who was elected last year, has promised to end the country’s long-standing “India First” policy, which has strained relations with New Delhi. His administration has also requested that dozens of Indian military personnel leave the Maldives, a move critics believe will accelerate the country’s shift towards China. Despite the election results, Muizzu’s position as president is not affected by the outcome of the parliamentary vote. The PNC had urged voters to elect a majority that would allow the president to quickly fulfill his campaign promises.
The growing influence of China in the Maldives has been a cause for concern for India, as the two countries compete for strategic dominance in the region. The shift in the Maldives’ foreign policy towards China could have implications for regional dynamics and possibly strain India-Maldives relations further. President Muizzu’s administration has been accused of sidelining India in favor of closer ties with Beijing, a move that has elicited criticism from various quarters.
The parliamentary election in the Maldives is seen as a significant step towards consolidating power for President Muizzu and his party, the PNC. With a two-thirds majority in parliament, the president is likely to have greater control over policy decisions and the ability to implement his agenda effectively. The PNC’s victory in the election reflects widespread support for Muizzu’s policies amongst the electorate, despite concerns raised by critics about the country’s shifting alliances in the region.
The outcome of the parliamentary vote in the Maldives is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s foreign policy direction and its relations with major regional players like India and China. President Muizzu’s government’s decision to lean towards Beijing has raised concerns about the implications for the region’s strategic balance of power. The election result is likely to solidify the Maldives’ alignment with China, potentially altering the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific. It remains to be seen how this shift will shape the future of the Maldives’ foreign relations and regional dynamics.
