Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:06am on 01 Oct 2023,Sunday International
Pro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu has won the Maldives' presidential runoff, securing over 53% of the vote. The election became a contest between India and China's influence in the Indian Ocean archipelago. Muiz, initially an underdog, won after former president Abdulla Yameen was barred from running. He pledged to balance trade relations with India and remove Indian troops from the Maldives. Incumbent President Solih, accused of allowing unchecked Indian presence, received 46% of the vote. Despite Muiz's victory, experts believe the Maldives will continue to afford India an important place in its foreign policy. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Muizzu on his win.
