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Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the newly elected president of the Maldives, has wasted no time in demanding that India remove its troops from the country. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Muizzu stated that he had already informed the Indian ambassador that all Indian military personnel should be removed from the Maldives. This demand is likely to strain the diplomatic relations between Malé and Delhi, as the Maldives has historically been under India's influence. Muizzu's election victory was seen as a setback for India, as his opponent had fostered closer ties with Delhi during his time in office. Muizzu's alliance favors closer relations with China, which has invested significant sums in the country, but India has also provided substantial development assistance. The controversy over Indian military presence in the Maldives has been amplified by accusations that Delhi gave the country "gifts" that were later revealed to be used for military purposes. Muizzu argues that the presence of Indian troops could endanger the Maldives, especially as tensions between India and China escalate. He emphasizes that the Maldives is too small to become entangled in the global power struggle. Muizzu also intends to review all agreements signed with India in recent years. Despite praising Chinese infrastructure projects, Muizzu denies being pro-China and instead claims to prioritize the interests of the Maldives. However, his opposition alliance includes the party of former president Abdulla Yameen, who moved the country closer to China. Yameen turned to Beijing for loans when India and Western lenders refused due to human rights concerns. Muizzu, who was seen as Yameen's proxy in the election, aims to chart a new path for the Maldives in both domestic and foreign affairs. Although he may face resistance from India, Muizzu's decisive victory suggests that he may not encounter internal obstacles initially. Convincing Delhi to withdraw its troops is likely to be his first major challenge.