PM  Modi holds talks with Maldivian President amidst changing dynamics in Indian Ocean

New Delhi, Dec 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a significant meeting with Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of the Maldives, on the sidelines of the COP-28 Summit in the UAE. The meeting gains particular importance in the context of Indian Ocean security.

Prime Minister Modi extended congratulations to President Muizzu on assuming office and the two leaders comprehensively reviewed bilateral relations. Discussions encompassed diverse areas, including people-to-people linkages, development cooperation, economic ties, climate change, and sports.

The leaders agreed to establish a core group to deepen their partnership. The meeting unfolded shortly after the Maldivian government formally requested the withdrawal of Indian military presence, citing the presence of 77 Indian technical army personnel involved in supporting Dornier flight and disaster management skills to local authorities.

President Muizzu, sworn in as the eighth President on November 17, 2023, expressed his commitment to a Maldives free of foreign military presence during his inaugural address.

This pledge had been a focal point of his election campaign, reflecting his dedication to securing the nation's independence and sovereignty.

In a new domestic political scenario in Maldives, tensions have emerged between President Muizzu and former President Abdullah Yameen, who recently formed the People’s National Front (PNF), signalling a shift in the country's political dynamics.

Yameen, known for an anti-India stance during his presidency, had leaned heavily on China for support. President Muizzu utilized Yameen's anti-India rhetoric during the election campaign.

Yameen's departure from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and now President Muizzu avoiding the influence of Yameen indicate a significant political shift.

Yameen's release from prison and the subsequent formation of the PNF add complexity to the ruling political party of Maldives and its politics, with potential implications for future parliamentary elections next year.

Yameen's new party poses a challenge to the existing political order, hinting at his intention to regain support and potentially challenge the current administration.

The power struggle within the PPM, coupled with Yameen's departure, poses challenges to President Muizzu's administration, especially with parliamentary elections on the horizon.

As the political landscape in the Maldives undergoes substantial shifts, the opposition Maldives Democratic Party, which ruled until late October 2023, may view the evolving political scenario within the new government with a sense of opportunity ahead of the upcoming parliamentary polls next year.