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Maldives
New Maldives President: India’s Friend or Foe?
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
It likely that Malé will remain sensitive to India’s broad strategic concerns around China, but will likely push also for closer ties to Beijing.
Maldives’ Presidential Election Was Not a Referendum on India or China
By Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor
Local political maneuvering and pressing domestic issues – not geopolitics – drove most Maldivians’ voting decisions.
What to Expect From Maldives’ New President
Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor and JJ Robinson discuss the domestic politics behind President-elect Muizzu's win and the foreign policy implications going forward.
Opposition’s Mohamed Muizzu Wins Maldives’ Presidential Election
By Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor
In opposition, Muizzu was part of the “India Out” campaign. Will he take this forward as president?
Nasheed’s Democrats Emerge Kingmakers in Maldivian Presidential Election
By Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor
Will President Solih concede to friend-turned-foe Nasheed’s demand for a referendum to win his support in the runoff election?
Maldives’ Presidential Elections: What’s Next?
By Rishabh Yadav
What the first round results tell us about the September 30 run-off – and what that will mean for Maldives' geopolitical position moving forward.
This Week in Asia: September 15, 2023
The Diplomat’s weekly video round-up of Asia news.
Maldives Presidential Election Heads to a Run-off
By Krishan Francis
The September 30 vote will see the pro-China frontrunner Mohamed Muizzu pitted against the pro-India incumbent Mohamed Solih.
Ibrahim Solih Optimistic on Re-election Chances
By Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor
While the ruling MDP expects him to win an outright victory in the first round, the possibility of a run-off vote cannot be ruled out.
India-China Contest Looms Over Maldives’ Presidential Elections
By Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor
While Muizzu's victory could see a tilt toward China in the archipelago’s foreign policy, India and its Quad partners will cheer President Solih’s re-election.
Maldives’ Presidential Election Is a Multi-Horse Race
By Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor
The electoral line-up lays bare political fragmentation in the young and tumultuous democracy.
Former Adversaries Unite to Challenge President Solih in Maldives Presidential Elections
By Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor
But there are serious differences between the constituents of the new anti-Solih partnership on domestic and foreign policy issues.