India and China have congratulated President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu following his election win in Saturday's presidential runoff.
In a post on social media, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India remains committed to "strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship."
Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin also posted on social media to congratulate the opposition candidate on his election victory.
Male' Mayor and former Housing Minister Muizzu won the election with 54 percent or 127,607 votes.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who ran for re-election got 46 percent or 108,696 votes.
Muizzu campaigned with the slogan "Maldivians' Country" as the opposition had pushed ahead with the claim that the Indian military was stationed in the country.
The previous government of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) maintained a close relationship with China.
