ALARM BELLS AS MALDIVES GOES FROM 'INDIA FIRST' TO 'INDIA OUT'

Tough test for Indian diplomacy as pro-China leader comes to power in Maldives.

- T. BRAJESH

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". There was thunderous applause from the audience when Muizzu announced the removal of the foreign (Indian) military forces from the Maldives. The development in the tiny Indian Ocean nation has sounded an alarm bell in the Indian foreign policy establishment.

In fact, the elections in the Maldives were seen as a tussle between the "India First" and "India Out" campaigns. 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".