Mohamed Muizzu, presidential candidate of Maldives’ opposition party National People’s Congress, speaks to media personnel during the second round of the presidential election in Male, Maldives, September 30, 2023. REUTERS/Dhahau Naseem /File photo Acquire license rights
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Foreign military forces cannot remain in the Maldives, President-elect Mohamed Muizzu said at a rally celebrating his victory in the closely watched presidential election over the weekend. elections which are expected to restore ties with India and China.
Muizzu, who defeated incumbent President Ibrahim Solih in the second round. escape on Saturday, is backed by a coalition known for its closeness to China, and a few years ago advocated an “India Out” campaign against a small Indian army unit.
“All countries that accept our pro-Maldives policy will be our close friends and allies,” Muizzu told his supporters at Monday’s event.
“We will send foreign soldiers to the Maldives,” he added, without naming any country.
In the past his party has seen India’s overwhelming influence sees it as a potential threat to sovereignty and Muizzu accused the South Asian nation of seeking to establish a permanent military presence in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
India, which traditionally has close ties with Male, denies that claim and is helping to build a naval port for Maldivian forces to be trained by its military.
New Delhi will “wait and see” Muizzu’s policies, a senior Indian government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“He has to work with us and we have to work with him,” the official added, stressing that India “is not anti-Maldives.”
Solih, who championed an “India first” policy, remains in office until Muizzu takes office on November 17.
Reporting by Mohamed Junayd, Krishn Kaushik and Uditha Jayasinghe; Written by Blassy Boben; Editing by Clarence Fernandez
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