India says it's keen to engage with Maldives as 'pro-China' leader wins presidency

INDIA's Narendra Modi government has said that it is keen on engaging with the Maldives on all issues, including those related to security. The government said this on Thursday (5) amid reports from the Indian Ocean archipelago that its new president-elect Mohamed Muizzu is likely to ask the Indian military personnel posted there to exit after formally taking over in November.

Muizzu, who is believed to be pro-China, defeated pro-India incumbent president Ibrahim Solih in the presidential run-off on September 30.

Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of India's ministry of external affairs said the focus of New Delhi's partnership with Male has always been on capacity-building and working together to address the two nations' shared challenges and priorities.

"As neighbours, we need to collaborate closely to address the challenges confronting our region such as transnational crimes and humanitarian assistance disaster relief. We look forward to engaging with the new administration on all such issues," he was quoted as saying.

Indian high commissioner to the Maldives Munu Mahawar on Wednesday (4) met Muizzu, who has served as the mayor of Male, and delivered him a congratulatory message from prime minister Narendra Modi.

Reports from the Maldivian capital said the president-elect of the island-nation expressed hope during the meeting of reviving the two nations' relations "based on the principle of respect for sovereignty and of taking the age-old special bond between Maldives and India to new heights".

He said the people of the Maldives decided in the recent presidential election "to protect the country's sovereignty" and expressed confidence that New Delhi would respect the verdict.

The Indian foreign ministry also congratulated the people of the Maldives for keeping faith in democratic governance and constitutional process, besides showing strong commitment to democracy and rule of law.