"Muizzu's Election Puts Indo-Maldives Ties to the Test, China Gains Advantage"

President-elect Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, backed by a coalition close to China, stated that foreign military forces must leave the country, without specifying any particular country. Muizzu's victory in the presidential elections is expected to impact the country's relations with India and China. In the past, Muizzu's party has expressed concerns about India's influence and accused it of seeking a permanent military presence in the Maldives. India, which denies these claims, has stated that it will wait and watch Muizzu's policies and hopes to work with him.