Mint Explainer: What does Muizzu’s election win mean for India-Maldives ties?

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu won a crushing victory in the country’s parliamentary elections on Sunday. His party, the pro-China People’s National Congress, won 66 of the first 86 seats declared by the elections commission, enough for a super-majority. To form a government, a political party or coalition needs a majority in the 93-member legislative body.

Muizzu’s victory botsters his position at home and could have an impact on the country’s policy towards India. Mint takes a closer look at the issue.

On Sunday the Maldives held elections to the People's Majlis, the country’s parliament. Before the elections the Majlis was controlled by the opposition, led by the traditionally pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party. This led to periodic political clashes, including threats of impeachment against Muizzu. However, his dominant victory on Sunday gave him a more than two-thirds majority in the Majlis, while the Maldivian Democratic Party faced serious reverses and won just 10 seats.

Muizzu’s victory is not entirely unprecedented. Most parties have won big majorities in the Majlis since the country became democratic in the late 2000s. Muizzu told voters that a victory for his party would help produce results. He promised to deliver development projects, improve the country’s economic trajectory, and provide funding for local government bodies, among other things. His victory will also bolster his political position after months of bruising clashes with the opposition.

At one level, this could be worrying for New Delhi as Muizzu belongs to a section of Maldivian politicians who are suspicious of India's economic and political influence over the country. One of his first acts as president was to formally ask Indian troops to