Jailed Maldives’ ex-President transferred to house arrest

Muiz, considered pro-China, promised he would remove Indian troops from the Maldives and balance the country’s trade relations, which he said were heavily in India’s favor.

India, which is hosting many Maldivians, considers the country to be located in its area of influence while China had included the Maldives as a part of its Belt and Road initiative when Yameen was president. The project is meant to built railroads, ports and highways to expand trade — and China’s influence — across Asia, Africa and Europe.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Muiz on his election victory.

“India remains committed to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing our overall co-operation in the Indian Ocean region,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The United States also congratulated Muiz, saying the two countries have a strong relationship based on mutual respect and shared interests. (AP)