President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that he does not want the Maldives to be stuck in the political rivalry between global powers.
In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Muizzu said Maldives is too small to take sides in such a matter.
The previous government of Muizzu's Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) had close ties with China.
But the current Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government shifted towards an "India First" policy.
There are speculations that the new Muizzu administration will also move back to maintaining close ties with China.
Muizzu was the housing minister during the previous PPM-PNC government and China funded many infrastructure projects during that period.
Meanwhile, Muizzu and his coalition conducted an "India Out" campaign, demanding Indian troops to leave the Maldivians.
When Bloomberg journalist Haslinda Amin questioned Muizzu on the matter, he said it was wrong to label him as a person who prioritizes China.
Asked about China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean, Muizzu said Maldives would always respect international rules and would work with all countries.
