As Maldives holds its presidential elections, India and China are watching the political showdown closely. The presidential race has taken a geopolitical turn as the pro-China candidate surges ahead, challenging the influence of the incumbent pro-India leader. The fate of democracy and the balance of power in the Indian Ocean hangs in the balance.

Gravitas | India vs China: High-stakes battle for influence in Maldives heats up

As the Maldives' presidential election heads into a suspenseful runoff on September 30, political strategists and analysts are closely scrutinising the evolving dynamics that could reshape the nation's political landscape.

Explained: Maldives presidential runoff and dance of political alliances

Maldives President Ibrahim Solih and his main challenger Mohamed Muizzu are likely to face off in a second round of presidential election, with results from Saturday's first round showing Muizzu ahead but short of the 50% needed to win outright.

Maldives: Opposition takes surprise lead, election heads for run-off

After the two leading contenders in the Maldives' presidential election failed to win more than 50% of the vote on Saturday (September 9), a runoff round appeared likely. On Sunday, the first round's official results are expected to be released. But according to early statistics, incumbent President Ibrahim Solih was in second place to his primary competitor Mohamed Muiz, who received 46% of the vote to the former's 40%.

Maldives Elections | Preliminary Results: No clear winner after first round of voting

Voters in the Maldives headed to polling stations on Saturday (September 9) with the incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih facing a tough re-election bid and against rival Mohamed Muizzu.

Maldives election: Polls underway for new president; could be key for India-China rivalry

Hugo Yue-Ho Yon's Letter of Credence, certifying his position as the first Resident Ambassador of the United States of America (US) to the Republic of Maldives, was accepted by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday.

Maldives gets first resident US envoy as Washington strives for wider influence in Indo-Pacific

The Supreme Court of Maldives on Sunday (August 6) barred jailed former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to take part in next month's presidential election.

Maldives Supreme Court bars jailed ex-president from taking part in presidential poll

On Inside South Asia, we take you Inside India's deadly floods: Bridges washed away, power stations submerged, temples drowned. Will lessons be learnt this time? -Maldives foreign minister speaks to WION and tell us why India matters -Sri Lankans seek greener pastures: What's at stake? -Chandrayaan-3 Lifts off: A landmark moment for India -From Nepal helicopter crash to the Iran-Afghanistan railroad, catch the latest stories from Inside South Asia with Dasuni Athauda

Deadly floods in India: No lessons learnt? | Chandrayaan-3 heads to moon

The Maldives is an important strategic and defence partner for India and part of India's neighbourhood first policy. Maldives Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid who was on a two-day visit spoke to WION's Bhairavi Singh and told us why India matters for the island nation.

Maldives Foreign Minister to WION | Why India matters

The Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid is in Delhi for a two-day visit where he met his counterpart Dr S Jaishankar yesterday and the two sides signed 9 agreements on project development under India’s grant assistance. Watch to know more about his visit and what it entails in this exclusive interview with Abdulla Shahid.

Maldives' Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid in India

Maldives part of India’s Neighbourhood 1st policy

Maldives foreign minister Abdullah Shahid has met his Indian counterpart Dr Jaishankar in New Delhi. They held discussions on bilateral regional and international issues of mutual interest the Maldive's top Diplomat is on a two-day visit to India.

Maldives FM Abdullah Shahid on a two-day India visit

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid is in India for a two-day visit. During this visit, he will review bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest with his counterpart, S Jaishankar.

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid arrives for two-day visit in India, to meet S Jaishankar

India has kicked off another engagement outreach in the Indian Ocean region. The Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary are on a visit to two of India's key maritime neighbours - Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Maldives to kick off drill in Indian Ocean

Relationship between one of the largest countries in the world and one of the smallest is quite cordial. India and Maldives are neighbours sharing a maritime border. Both nations share ethnic, linguistic, religious & commercial links steeped in antiquity. Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region. India is now handing over patrol vessels and landing craft to the Maldives as gifts.

Why is India handing over patrol vessels and landing craft to the Maldives as gifts?

Maldives' Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid spoke to WION's Diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal on a range of issues. When asked how he sees India's G20 presidency with reference to giving a voice to the Global South, Shahid said that he is glad that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had kept it inclusive and is gunning to champion every nation's cause. He said that he expects India to take up every nation's cause in the south, especially as the world emerges from the pandemic.

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid speaks to WION on India's G20 Presidency

Maldives' Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, who is currently in Delhi to attend an event, spoke to WION correspondent Sidhant Sibal on a range of issues. Watch this exclusive interview.

WION Exclusive: Maldives' Foreign minister hopeful of India becoming a voice for Global South

A South African couple have entered the Guinness world records, for...hold your breath...the longest underwater kiss, lasting 4 minutes & 6 seconds. A breathtaking feat sealed with a kiss, in the Maldives.

Inside South Asia: Hold your breath for the longest underwater kiss

A South African couple have entered the Guinness world records, for...Hold your breath...The longest underwater kiss, lasting 4 minutes & 6 seconds. A breathtaking feat sealed with a kiss, in the Maldives.

Inside South Asia: Hold your breath...For the world's longest underwater kiss

Is another B-town couple getting hitched? Rumours have been rife for the past few days that Prabhas and Kriti Sanon are all set to get engaged in Maldives in the coming week.

Prabhas and Kriti Sanon to get engaged in Maldives? Here's the truth

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who faced off against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) party president, Mohamed Nasheed, won the presidential primary elections with a landslide victory.

Maldives President Solih wins high-stakes MDP primary with wide margin

Maldives' new high commissioner to India Ibrahim Shaheeb has pitched for stronger connectivity between the two countries and more tourists from India in his first interview since presenting his credentials in November of this year.

Maldives envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb bats for more connectivity & tourists from India

While speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Maldives' new high commissioner to India Ibrahim Shaheeb has pitched for stronger connectivity between the two countries and more tourists from India.

WION Dispatch Maldives envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb seeks more connectivity & tourists from India

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Gravitas | India vs China: High-stakes battle for influence in Maldives heats up

Explained: Maldives presidential runoff and dance of political alliances

Maldives: Opposition takes surprise lead, election heads for run-off

Maldives Elections | Preliminary Results: No clear winner after first round of voting

Maldives election: Polls underway for new president; could be key for India-China rivalry

Maldives gets first resident US envoy as Washington strives for wider influence in Indo-Pacific

Maldives Supreme Court bars jailed ex-president from taking part in presidential poll

Deadly floods in India: No lessons learnt? | Chandrayaan-3 heads to moon

Maldives Foreign Minister to WION | Why India matters

Maldives' Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid in India

Maldives part of India’s Neighbourhood 1st policy

Maldives FM Abdullah Shahid on a two-day India visit

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid arrives for two-day visit in India, to meet S Jaishankar

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Maldives to kick off drill in Indian Ocean

Why is India handing over patrol vessels and landing craft to the Maldives as gifts?

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid speaks to WION on India's G20 Presidency

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid speaks to WION on India's G20 Presidency

WION Exclusive: Maldives' Foreign minister hopeful of India becoming a voice for Global South

Inside South Asia: Hold your breath for the longest underwater kiss

Inside South Asia: Hold your breath...For the world's longest underwater kiss

Prabhas and Kriti Sanon to get engaged in Maldives? Here's the truth

Maldives President Solih wins high-stakes MDP primary with wide margin

Maldives envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb bats for more connectivity & tourists from India

WION Dispatch Maldives envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb seeks more connectivity & tourists from India