Mohamed Muisu Wins Presidential Election in the Maldives
In a surprising turn of events, Mohamed Muisu has been declared the winner of the presidential election in the Maldives. Outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih graciously accepted defeat and handed over the reins to the newly elected leader. Muisu is set to be sworn in as President on November 17, but until then, Solih will serve as the interim president.
Muisu, who is known for his support of China, secured 54 percent of the votes in a closely contested election. During his campaign, he put forward the slogan ‘India Out’, indicating his intention to foster closer relations with China. In contrast, Solih, who belongs to the Maldivian Democratic Party, implemented the ‘India First’ policy during his term, resulting in strengthened ties with India.
The Maldives’ strategic location in the Indian Ocean has made it a subject of interest for both China and India. China, in particular, has been keen on expanding its influence in the region and protecting its interests, including the route for oil transportation from Gulf countries. India, on the other hand, has sought to curb China’s growing presence in the Maldives and maintain its own surveillance over the Indian Ocean.
The election outcome has raised concerns about the future of China’s relations with the Maldives. Muisu’s victory is expected to bring the country closer to China, given his support for good relations with the economic giant. However, analysts suggest that the Maldives will likely strive to strike a balance between its ties with India and China, considering the significant investments and presence of Indian soldiers in the country.
Muisu, born in 1978, holds a PhD in Civil Engineering and has been involved in politics since 2012. He has previously served as a minister and was responsible for implementing major infrastructure projects, including a bridge connecting the capital city of Male to the international airport.
China’s growing involvement in the Maldives cannot be ignored. The country has heavily invested in the archipelago nation and even leased one of its islands to China for 50 years. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ has also found support in the Maldives. It is estimated that the country has received around one billion dollars in loans from China.
Despite the victory of a pro-China leader, experts believe that India’s influence in the Maldives will not diminish immediately. The country has also made significant investments in the Maldives, providing loans and aid amounting to over two billion dollars in recent years. However, some Maldivians remain skeptical of India’s intentions and fear being caught in the crossfire of tensions between India and China.
The Maldives finds itself in a delicate position as it seeks to navigate the competing interests of China and India. While China aims to establish a naval presence in the Indian Ocean, smaller countries like the Maldives and Sri Lanka have the opportunity to negotiate benefits from both regional powers. Maintaining a balance between China and India seems to be the Maldives’ prevailing strategy in the current geopolitical landscape.