Mohamed Muizzu, Maldives presidential candidate of the opposition party, People's National Congress speaks with the media personnel during the second round of a presidential election in Male, Maldives September 30, 2023.
REUTERS/Dhahau Naseem/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Foreign military forces cannot stay in the Maldives, president-elect Mohamed Muizzu told a rally celebrating his victory in closely watched weekend presidential elections that are expected to redraw ties with India and China.
"All the countries which agree to our pro-Maldives policy will be our close friends and allies," Muizzu told supporters at Monday's event.
India, with traditionally close ties to Male, denies that assertion, and is helping to build a naval harbour for Maldivian forces to be trained by its military.
Solih, who championed an "India First" policy, continues in office until Muizzu is inaugurated on Nov. 17.
Persons:
Mohamed Muizzu, Dhahau Naseem, Ibrahim Solih, Muizzu, Solih, Mohamed Junayd, Krishn Kaushik, Uditha, Blassy Boben, Clarence Fernandez
Organizations:
People's, REUTERS, Foreign, Indian, Thomson
Locations:
Maldives, Male, DELHI, India, China, New Delhi