Maldives voters have handed President Mohamed Muizzu an overwhelming victory in the parliamentary polls. Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) has won at least 64 seats out of the initial 86 declared. That’s according to the latest figures reported by the Elections Commission of Maldives. This tally gives the PNC a two-thirds or super-majority in the 93-member parliament. The numbers are expected to magnify Muizzu’s pro-China tilt. That will widen the gap between the Maldives and India. The PNC and its allies had only eight seats in the previous parliament(Majlis). The then lack of a majority impeded Muizzu’s pro-China tilt after his Presidential election victory in September 2023. Maldives’ voters had another big message to give. The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) previously had a super-majority of its own. It was left licking its electoral wounds with just about a dozen seats.
President Muizzu has pledged to end the country’s “India First” policy, putting relations with New Delhi under strain. His government has asked dozens of Indian military personnel to leave the country, a move analysts say could accelerate the Maldives’ shift towards China. Those Indian military personnel were pilots and technical crew helping operate two Indian-gifted helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.
The three aircraft are currently deployed for:
- Medical evacuation
- Humanitarian efforts
- Surveillance of the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone
Another key point. Despite Muizzu’s pro-Beijing policies, India hiked aid for the island nation. New Delhi increased aid to Rs 770 crore from 400 crore in its interim budget in March. This is the highest allocation for a neighbouring state. And analysts say, underscores India’s view that nothing should come in the way of good ties. India has heavily invested in the Maldives development. Above all is the largest foreign investment in the country. India has invested in the island’s biggest infrastructure project, the Greater Male Connectivity Project. It comprises a bridge nearly seven km long connecting the capital with three islands, for which India has provided $100 mn as a grant and $400 mn in a line of credit.
During last year’s presidential election, Muizzu campaigned and won on a strident anti-India stand. President Muizzu travelled to China in January and met top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping. After that visit, China and the Maldives also signed a defence cooperation agreement and several other infrastructure development projects.
