Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The Maldives' ruling party, the People's National Congress (PNC), reportedly won a two-thirds majority in parliamentary elections on Sunday. This outcome is likely to push the Indian Ocean island nation further towards China and away from its long-standing ally, India.

The PNC, led by President Mohamed Muizzu who was elected last year, is expected to win at least 62 of parliament's 93 seats. On the other hand, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is expected to win only 15 seats.

“The PNC managed to capture important seats in former MDP strongholds including the capital Male, Addu City and Kulhudhuffushi City in the north,” local Maldivian media reported as saying ReutersMonday (22/4/2024).

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party, founded by former president Mohamed Nasheed in 2023, also lost all seats. Former president Abdulla Yameen's new party also suffered the same fate, which did not get many votes.

This victory itself is said to bring fresh air to China. The estrangement in relations between India and the Maldives since early 2024 made President Muizzu promise to end the “India First” policy in his country, which could be realized with his party's victory.

It should be noted that the feud between India and the Maldives started with a post by Indian PM Narendra Modi when he visited Lakshadweep, an island region in India which is one of India's eight alliances in the Arabian Sea. The post was commented on by three Deputy Ministers of the Maldives, Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid.

Initially, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Abdulla Mahzoom Majid commented on PM Modi's post on X by saying that India would face big challenges if it competed with the Maldives in beach tourism. The tweet also said that India was dirty and smelly.

Actually that post Already deleted. However, Indian netizens had already recorded and distributed the tweet.

Other Maldives deputies added to the heat by calling Modi a clown, a terrorist and a puppet of Israel on the social media platform

Photo: AP/Mohamed Sharuhaan

The problems don't stop there. Muizzu then expelled Indian troops from the country's territory on January 15. India is known to have deployed 80 troops on the small islands of the Maldives to support military equipment in that country, to assist humanitarian activities there.

“In this meeting, on behalf of President Muizzu, the Maldivian delegation proposed the removal of Indian soldiers as of March 15,” said Policy Director of the Office of the President of the Maldives, Ahmed Nazim, quoted by Reuters.

The Maldives themselves have now chosen to further strengthen their friendly relations with China. The President also visited Beijing earlier in the year, at the same time agreeing on a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(sef/sef)