- The Maldives’ president-elect, Mohamed Muiz, has pledged to remove Indian military personnel stationed in the archipelago state, promising to initiate the process.
- Muiz stated that he wouldn’t stand for a foreign military staying in the Maldives against the will of its citizens. This move is a significant blow to India’s geopolitical rivalry with China in the India Ocean region, where the Maldives’ presidential runoff election Saturday was seen as a virtual referendum on which regional powers would have the biggest influence on the archipelago.
- Muiz’s main campaign theme was about an alleged threat to the Maldives’ sovereignty by some Indian military personnel on an island, part of the party’s yearslong “India out” strategy.
- Outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who was elected president in 2018, was battling allegations by Muiz that he had allowed India an unchecked presence in the country. Muiz’s party, the People’s National Congress, is viewed as heavily pro-China.
- The number of Indian troops in the Maldives is unknown, and critics say the secrecy behind the agreement between the two governments regarding the placement of military personnel and their role has led to suspicion and rumor.
- Known activities of the Indian military include operating two helicopters donated by India and assisting in the rescue of people stranded or facing calamities at sea.
- Former President Abdulla Yameen, leader of the People’s National Congress, made the Maldives a part of China’s Belt and Road initiative from 2013 to 2018.
Source:
Associated Press
