Abdulla Yameen Loses Elections, New President to Put ‘India First’

In a major turn in South Asian politics, a pro-India politician is set to become the Maldivian president.

Maldives’ opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, third left, celebrates his victory.

(Photo: AP)

After resentments in diplomatic relations with India in the recent past, a politician who promised to reinstate ‘India First’ foreign policy has clinched victory in the presidential elections in Maldives.

In a historical mandate result announced on Sunday, the electorate threw incumbent President Abdulla Yameen out of power. The result came as a surprise to many as the Opposition had alleged that President Yameen may have rigged the elections with unfair means.

However, contrary to most analysis, Yameen lost with a margin of 38,000 votes to the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Ibrahiim Mohamed Solih.

Popularly known as ‘Ibu’, Mohamed Solih would be the president of a coalition government made to overthrow President Yameen. Solih is a prominent Maldives lawmaker and the co-founder of MDP along with former president Mohamed Nasheed.

The 54-year-old politician was first elected to the Parliament in 1994 at the age of 30.

He also led the Maldives Political Reform Movement from 2003 to 2008 which ushered Maldives into adopting a new Constitution and a multi-party democracy after a 30- year-long authoritarian rule.

Solih was chosen the presidential candidate of the MDP-led coalition when the Elections Commission barred Nasheed, citing his pending jail term. Mohamed Solih shares very close relations with Nasheed, who is considered a pro-India politician.

Solih is married to Fazna Ahmed, Nasheed’s cousin.

With Solih coming into power, he is expected to free the judges and two former presidents – Abdul Gayoom, serving a jail term, and Nasheed, who is in self-exile – all of whom were framed with dubious charges under president Yameen. In his door-to-door election campaign, Solih has also promised to repeal the anti-defamation act, ensuring press freedom.

Implications for India

India had been Maldives close ally and protector until President Yameen changed the policy and started looking towards China. Under Yameen, Maldives took $1.3 billion loan for its development and left Male vulnerable to China’s influence, according to critics.

Solih had promised to restore ties with with its neighbours and said that an ‘India First’ foreign policy would be reinstated.

President Yameen has accepted the mandate and promised a smooth transition of power to Solih, who is all set to swear in as the fourth president of Maldives on 17 November.