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Maldives 

The Maldives is gearing up for a crucial parliamentary election scheduled for Sunday, set to test President Mohamed Muizzu’s stance towards China and its implications for the nation's traditional ties with India. This election comes amidst a backdrop of strategic importance, as the Indian Ocean archipelago finds itself at the crossroads of competing global interests.

Known worldwide for its luxurious tourism offerings, the Maldives comprises a chain of 1,192 coral islands strategically positioned along vital east-west shipping lanes. President Muizzu, who assumed office last September, has aligned himself with China, diverging from the previous administration's pro-India stance. This shift has been evidenced by recent infrastructure contracts awarded to Chinese state-owned companies and the planned withdrawal of Indian troops stationed in the Maldives.

Muizzu's attempts to realign the Maldives' foreign policy have faced resistance from the current parliament, dominated by the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Lawmakers have thwarted several of his cabinet nominations and spending proposals, highlighting the domestic political challenges he faces in implementing his agenda.

The upcoming election is expected to reflect these geopolitical tensions, with divisions evident within all major political parties, including Muizzu's own People's National Congress (PNC). Despite these internal rifts, Muizzu's prospects received a boost with the release of his mentor, former President Abdulla Yameen, from house arrest. Yameen's return to the political scene and his vow to continue advocating for closer ties with China signal a potential shift in the Maldives' foreign policy trajectory.

Approximately 285,000 Maldivian voters are eligible to cast their ballots on Sunday, with the results anticipated by the following day. The outcome of this election will not only shape the country's domestic political landscape but also have far-reaching implications for its geopolitical positioning and relationships with key regional powers.

In conclusion, the Maldives parliamentary election serves as a critical juncture in the nation's political evolution, with competing interests both domestically and internationally vying for influence. As voters prepare to head to the polls, the outcome remains uncertain, but its impact on the Maldives' geopolitical dynamics is sure to reverberate beyond its pristine shores.