Male, The office of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu announced that the country will continue with Chinese-backed construction projects and move forward with the eviction of Indian troops following the resounding victory of Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) in parliamentary elections.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Muizzu’s party won more than two-thirds of the seats in the 93-member assembly during Sunday’s elections. This victory comes amid a significant shift in Muizzu’s foreign policy, favoring China over India. As part of his election platform, Muizzu pledged to remove Indian troops from the Maldives. Several Indian troops have already left the country, and the complete withdrawal is expected by May 10.

The president’s office quoted Muizzu thanking voters for the landslide victory and promising a construction boom, with a focus on building apartments, bridges, and new airports with Chinese funding. Without explicitly naming India or China, Muizzu emphasized the need for Maldivians to have sole authority over their own affairs, stating, “It is important that Maldivians have sole authority over matters concerning our nation, to be addressed as per our desires.� He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the sovereignty of the Maldives is not compromised, citing the deployment of Indian troops as an affront to the Maldivian people.

In response to Muizzu’s electoral success, Beijing has expressed its readiness to work with the Maldives to strengthen traditional ties. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated, “China is willing to work with the Maldives to maintain traditional friendship [and] expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields.â€�

The shift in the Maldives’ foreign policy marks a significant change in the balance of power in the Indian Ocean region, with implications for regional security and diplomacy. Muizzu’s stance toward India and his focus on Chinese-backed development projects reflect his commitment to realigning the Maldives’ international relationships and pursuing a new vision for the country’s future.