Muizzu In Male: Will New Maldives President Prioritise China Over India?

Maldives has a new president. Mohamed Muizzu emerged as the victor in the elections, defeating the incumbent President Ibrahim Solih.

What can be the implications of Muizzu's victory for Maldives-India relations?

Mohamed Muizzu's party, in its previous term, oversaw an increase in Chinese investments and loans in Maldives.

Muizzu played a prominent role in managing various Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, including a substantial $200-million bridge connecting the capital to the main airport.

During his election campaign, Muizzu emphasized a need to reevaluate Maldives' foreign policy, suggesting that the incumbent, President Solih, had overly aligned the nation with India.

Solih's Stance

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the incumbent, came into office in 2018 with widespread support.

He won the previous election by a large margin, primarily due to public discontent over alleged human rights abuses and corruption under the previous administration.

However, his tenure too faced challenges, including allegations of corruption, slow progress on infrastructure projects, and internal party disputes.

Solih's term was characterized by efforts to strengthen ties with India.

Shortly after Solih taking office, India pledged assistance of $1.4 billion to the Maldives, and various development projects, including the Greater Male connectivity project, were initiated.

India's Concerns

India has traditionally held a substantial stake in the Maldives due to its geographical proximity and strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region.

Mohamed Muizzu's campaign rhetoric against India suggests a potential shift in the Maldives' foreign policy.

There are uncertainties regarding Maldives' role in India's defence and security partnerships in the region, as Muizzu has hinted at revisiting the presence of Indian naval assets in the country.

Moreover, Muizzu's commitment to pardoning his mentor, former President Abdulla Yameen, who advocated closer ties with China through the Belt and Road Initiative, suggests that Maldives could actively realign its regional partnerships and foreign policy priorities.