What Mohamed Muizzu’s lead means for India

News Snapshot:

Opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu secured a significant lead in the first round of the Maldivian presidential election on Saturday, in a result that has consequences for India-China geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean region. Observers say that Muizzu’s election, a distinct possibility, is not the best outcome for India in terms of maintaining its strategic influence over Malé. Muizzu is the candidate of the alliance led by former president Abdulla Yameen who is seen as leaning towards China. However, they added that Muizzu may look to balance the island nation’s ties between Delhi and Beijing, and not be as confrontational...