In a much-anticipated development, the epicenter of power in the Maldives, the country’s parliamentary elections have been held, and President Mohamed Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) has clinched a resounding win. The result indicates the people’s increasing alignment with Chinese foreign policy preferences; however, this is a matter of security concern to India’s strategic relation with the ASEAN nation.
President Muizzu’s election campaign of last year was dubbed “India Out” as his campaign tandem saw an upward trend in anti-Indian sentiments. He overcame 45-year-old MDP ex-President Mohamed Ibrahim Saalih, who was for China influence.
The heavily triumphant PNC is now reshaping the entire political scenario. They won 70 seats out of the total 93 seats in parliament, enabling them to have a two-thirds majority and consequently dominate the lower legislative body, the Majlis.
This electoral development confirms the progressively competitive scenario pitting India and China in the Indian Ocean region. China’s desire to deepen the already established cooperation between the two countries has been swiftly expressed, the main point not being so much about the strategic “comprehensive cooperative partnership” as the political aspect and goodwill.
India is not the case here; it has not responded yet officially. With a view to extending his term as Prime Minister, the Government is challenged to alter its approach so that both traditional and new factors, such as China’s increasing influence, can be taken into account.
The electoral results also highlight the impending risk for India to be cautious of engagements with the Maldives and develop strategies to defend its supremacy in this important part of the Indian Ocean.
