Explainer: How anti-India President Mohammad Muizzu became stronger in Maldives, China is happy

Maldives President Muizzu promoted: Mohammed Muizzu passed his first and most difficult examination with top marks since taking over as the President of Maldives last year. Mohammed Muizzu’s main ruling party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), won a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections on Sunday. In this election, Muizzu’s party has won more than 60 out of 93 seats in the People’s Majlis (Parliament of Maldives). The Chinese government has expressed happiness over the success of Muizzu’s party.

double blow for india
Many people are seeing this result as a double blow for India. Because this election result has freed Mohammad Muizzu from the surveillance of the opposition, who came to power on the basis of his India Out campaign. Apart from this, his government is moving away from the India First policy of the island country and its inclination is towards China. It is believed that the Muizzu administration will see these results as support for its foreign policy. Especially in the case of the decision to expel Indian soldiers from Maldives.

blow to opposition
It is important for the PNC to get a majority in the People’s Majlis, as the Maldives always faces a fractured mandate. This result is also important for Mohammad Muizzu because before the elections, his mentor and another pro-China leader Abdullah Yameen had also separated from him and formed his own political party. The results are a major blow to the pro-India and main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which was hoping to command a majority in Parliament. Using his power in Parliament, he recently got Muizzu to pass an anti-defection law. The last and first party to achieve super majority was MDP in 2019, when it won 65 seats.

Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu won the elections with an overwhelming majority. (Photo Reuters)

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China expressed happiness
The Chinese government is happy with this success achieved by Muizzu. China’s Foreign Minister has first congratulated Muizzu on this bumper victory. China said that it respects the choice of the people of Maldives. China also announced that it is keen to strengthen its strategic partnership with the government of Maldives. China said that it is willing to expand cooperation with Maldives in various fields and wants to further strengthen the strategic partnership.

Policy will have to be changed
At the same time, experts have advised India to change its policy regarding Maldives. Former Foreign Secretary of India Kanwal Sibal said, “Muizzoo’s bumper victory in the parliamentary elections in Maldives shows that the anti-India and pro-China sentiment has widespread support among the people there. India needs a change in its approach.” Muizzu himself urged the people to vote to protect the sovereignty and independence of the Maldives and ensure a pro-government Majlis that would help advance his development agenda.

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India cashed in on the opposition
Ahead of the elections, the Muizzu government had highlighted the expulsion of Indian troops from the Maldives as one of its major achievements. Muizzu also accused his pro-India predecessor Ibrahim Solih of taking orders from foreign governments. Apart from earlier visiting Beijing and signing a defense cooperation agreement with China, Muizzu had also sought to limit security and maritime cooperation with India by pulling out of that agreement, which allowed the Indian Navy to enter Maldivian waters. Permission was given to conduct hydrographic survey.

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Tag: election, foreign policy, India, maldives