According to a report by Agence France-Presse on the 21st, India's close neighbor Maldives held a legislative election on the same day, and the party led by President Muizu, who is considered pro-China, won a landslide victory, and the election results were considered extremely unfavorable to India. According to the results released by the Maldives Electoral Commission, the People's National Congress party led by Muizu has reportedly won 66 seats, far outpacing its rivals. The results of the vote are seen as a key test for Mooy Rent to continue to strengthen economic cooperation with China, including the construction of thousands of condominiums on reclaimed land, which will have a positive impact on people's livelihood and tourism development in the Maldives. It is widely believed that the election results will bring Malaysia and China closer together, and distance themselves from India, a traditional regional power.
The president of the Maldives, Moizou, has different political views from the former president. He opposes India's control of the Maldives and advocates strengthening economic cooperation with China. He had previously expelled Indian troops in the Maldives and elevated China-Maldives relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during his visit to China. It has also signed 20 cooperation agreements with China, which are expected to enhance relations between the two countries in the coming years. However, the victory of the pro-China faction represented by Muizu was regarded by public opinion as a defeat for India. This is especially true for India, which has long sought regional hegemony and constantly deterred small neighboring countries. The Maldives' opposition could have a domino effect, causing more and more small neighboring countries to come out and "go against India".
(The picture shows the scenery of the Maldives)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also facing a series of troubles, the recent Indian parliamentary election officially began, but the opposition party has formed a coalition and will confront Modi's party. And the Modi government has failed to solve the problems of the economy and pollution. This has led to boycotts of votes in many parts of India, which could threaten Modi's re-election. Faced with these problems, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to start "saving himself". On the one hand, he has suppressed opposition parties by cutting off funding sources and cracking down on corruption. Faced with complex social contradictions and economic problems in India, Modi has deployed additional troops on the Sino-Indian border in an attempt to divert people's attention. Having lost the Maldives as a key node, India intends to build a naval base in the nearby Lakshadweep Islands to strengthen its control over the region.
(Pictured is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi)
In addition, Modi's attitude towards China seems to have shifted. Recently, Modi said many times in an interview with Time magazine that China and India are both regional powers, and the relationship between the two countries will affect regional and even world stability. He believes that the most important thing for the two countries to solve at present is the "abnormal phenomenon" in bilateral interaction. Moreover, although Modi recently participated in the US-led Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, he has repeatedly denied that it is aimed at China. Whether it's because of domestic pressure or fear that a conflict with China would be bad for India, Mr. Modi does not seem to want to let Sino-Indian relations deteriorate to the point of conflict. At the very least, India is unwilling to completely turn to the West and act as a "pawn" to provoke China like the Philippines.
(Pictured are the flags of India and China)
In fact, in the four years since the 2020 Sino-Indian border standoff, relations between China and India have been far from cordial. Although the responsibility for provoking the border standoff lies with the Indian side, the reality is not good for both China and India. After four years, India seems to be about to usher in drastic changes, and Modi has taken a more pragmatic approach to China-India relations, which is expected to have a positive impact on the development of both countries. Especially at a time when the United States is actively promoting the Indo-Pacific strategy, without India's support, China's strategic pressure will be significantly reduced. In fact, China and India, as the two most populous developing countries in the world, should not be instigated by the West to confront internal friction. Instead, we should work together to break down Western hegemony and open up a better future for the development of both countries.