The new Maldivian government.
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, inaugurated in November after winning the presidential election in September, last month visited Delhi as part of efforts to re-establish the Maldives’s traditional ‘India First’ policy. Solih’s government, an alliance of parties that coalesced to oppose authoritarian, pro-China former President Abdulla Yameen, is implementing domestic reforms at pace. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for April.
The re-entry into politics of formerly jailed politicians and officials will increase factionalism in the government.
Indian influence in the Maldives will grow while Chinese influence will diminish, with Delhi likely to increase military cooperation.
The Maldives will formally rejoin the Commonwealth.
