Male, The People’s National Congress (PNC) led by Maldives President Muhammad Muizzu has secured a landslide victory in the country’s recent parliamentary elections, signaling a significant shift in the political landscape amid strained relations with India.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the PNC won 65 out of 93 seats contested, a dramatic increase in representation for the party. In contrast, the main opposition, the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), saw a considerable decline, securing only 12 seats, down from the 65 it previously held.

This election outcome reflects a substantial shift in Maldives’ political dynamics as both China and India vie for influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Since his election last year, President Muizzu has pursued a foreign policy that diverges from the “India First” approach of his predecessors, causing friction with New Delhi. His government has asked dozens of Indian military personnel to leave the Maldives, a move that has raised concerns about a growing tilt toward China.

Muizzu’s position as president remains unaffected by the parliamentary vote, in which 368 candidates were competing for five-year terms. The PNC’s victory has significant implications for the Maldives’ geopolitical orientation, potentially intensifying the competition for influence between India and China.

The decisive win by the pro-China PNC in the parliamentary elections underscores the changing political landscape in the Maldives, with President Muizzu’s government likely to continue its push for stronger ties with Beijing, raising questions about the region’s future geopolitical balance.