The Maldives is gearing up for a parliamentary election on Sunday, expected to serve as a litmus test for President Mohamed Muizzu's alignment towards China and away from India, historically one of the nation's key supporters.
Renowned for its opulent resorts and pristine beaches, the Maldives has increasingly become a focal point of geopolitical interests due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean. The nation's archipelago, spanning over 1,000 tiny coral islands, intersects major east-west shipping routes, adding to its significance on the global stage.
President Mohamed Muizzu, who rose to power as a proxy for the pro-China former president Abdulla Yameen, has recently tilted his administration's policies towards Beijing. This shift has been underscored by the awarding of significant infrastructure contracts to Chinese state-owned enterprises amid ongoing parliamentary election campaigns.
Additionally, Muizzu's government has initiated the process of repatriating Indian troops stationed in the Maldives, a move that has raised eyebrows in New Delhi and strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. The current parliament, dominated by the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has been resistant to Muizzu's efforts to realign the nation's foreign policy.
Against this backdrop, geopolitical considerations loom large in the upcoming election campaigns, with Muizzu's agenda to recalibrate foreign relations taking center stage. Despite facing opposition from various political factions, including within his own People's National Congress (PNC), Muizzu's prospects received a boost with the release of his mentor, Abdulla Yameen, who has pledged to continue advocating for a closer relationship with China.
With around 285,000 eligible voters set to cast their ballots, the election outcome remains uncertain, with results expected to be announced by early the following day. The election will not only shape the composition of the Maldivian parliament but also provide valuable insights into the nation's evolving geopolitical dynamics.
