"Pro-China Candidate's Victory in Maldives Election Sends Wake-Up Call to India"
Mohamed Muizzu, a pro-China candidate, has won the runoff election to become the next president of the Maldives, dealing a blow to Indian influence in the strategically important archipelagic nation. Muizzu received 54% of the votes, while the incumbent, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, received 46%. The election highlighted the divide between pro-India and pro-China camps in the Maldives, with Muizzu campaigning on an "India Out" platform. The United States also congratulated Muizzu on his win and expressed interest in deepening ties with the Maldives.