Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, reaffirms his commitment to removing foreign troops from the island. At a victory event following the presidential election, he emphasized his goal of maintaining Maldivian independence by ending India's military presence, aligning with China's regional influence ambitions. Muizzu plans to act within the legal framework after his inauguration, responding to the people's desire for a military-free Maldives. He envisions maintaining close relations with foreign ambassadors while adhering to this condition.
Muizzu's "India out" strategy, spanning decades:
Muhammad Muizzu's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) centred its election campaign on allegations that his predecessor, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, allowed unchecked Indian presence in the Indian Ocean region. Muizzu contends that Solih's administration jeopardized Maldivian sovereignty with Indian military personnel on the island, a longstanding point of the party's "India out" strategy. Solih consistently maintained that India's military presence aimed solely to build a dockyard under a bilateral agreement, without infringing on Maldivian sovereignty. The presence is tied to the development of Uthuru Thilafalhu (UTF), a strategically situated atoll northwest of Male, with implications for coastguard operations and maritime security.
Muizzu's favourable stance towards China can be traced back to substantial Chinese loans acquired during the previous PPM government's tenure. These loans fostered closer economic ties between the Maldives and China, leading to infrastructure projects and increased Chinese investments in the country.
© Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
