Maldives goes from ‘India first’ to ‘India out’

With President-elect of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, a known “India Out” backer and a pro-China leader, signalling to steer Male towards a Beijing-centric foreign policy, the Indian foreign policy establishment is set to face tough and testing times in the atoll nation, having immense strategic importance in the Indian Ocean.

Confirming India’s fears, Muizzu announced to initiate the process of removing Indian military personnel from the island nation from 17 November when he will take over the Presidential office formally, in what is seen as a clear indication that “he wants to get rid of India’s influence and bring China closer to Maldives”.

Muizzu made this clear in his victory speech, stating that the people have decided they do not want Indian troops in the country. “Those who have deployed (Indian) troops here would not want to keep them here if we don’t want it. The people have decided and don’t want Indian troops to stay in the Maldives. Therefore, foreign soldiers cannot be here against our sentiments, against our will.’’ There was thunderous applause from the audience when Muizzu announced the removal of the foreign (Indian) military forces from the Maldives, a 100-percent Muslim nation.

Removing Indian troops from the Maldives was a key election promise made by Muizzu. He won the elections defeating incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who had once projected the “India First Policy”.

Anonymous