New Maldives president is sworn in and vows to remove Indian troops

By MOHAMED SHARUHAN
Associated Press

MALE, Maldives (AP) — Mohamed Muizzu has been sworn as the Maldives’ fifth democratically elected president and says he will ensure there is no foreign military presence in the archipelago. Muizzu, who is seen as pro-China, campaigned on a promise to evict Indian military personnel and balance trade, which he said was heavily in favor of India under his predecessor. Muizzu was sworn in by the chief justice after his surprise victory in September’s presidential election. The election was seen a virtual referendum on which regional power — China or India — should have the biggest influence on the Indian Ocean archipelago.