Pro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu won Saturday's presidential election in the Maldives, a result set to once again upend the archipelago's relationship with traditional benefactor India.
Tight race in Maldives between India-leaning Solih and China-backed Muizzu thehindu.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thehindu.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Maldives stands at a geopolitical crossroads ahead of its presidential runoff vote with the frontrunner, a former construction minister, set on demolishing India's influence and building stronger ties with China.Foreign policy is set to dominate the campaign before the September 30 runoff, with both men sharply divided on managing the India-China rivalry.
Polling began Saturday in the Maldives' presidential vote, officials said, with incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih facing a tough re-election bid.Solih is facing stiff competition from Yameen's proxy, Mohamed Muizzu, mayor of Male.