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Opposition leaders in the Maldives have been accused of attempting to bribe lawmakers and key figures to impeach President Mohamed Muizzu, according to a report by The Washington Post. The opposition’s plan, outlined in an internal document known as the “Democratic Renewal Initiative,” allegedly involved seeking $6 million from India to fund a conspiracy aimed at removing Muizzu from office.
The plot reportedly included bribing 40 members of the Maldivian parliament, including those from Muizzu’s own party, the People’s National Congress. In addition to MPs, the conspirators allegedly planned to pay 10 senior Maldivian Army and police officers, along with three powerful criminal gangs, to facilitate the impeachment process. According to The Washington Post, the leaders sought a total of 87 million Maldivian Rufiyaa (roughly $6 million) for these payments, and the money was proposed to be obtained from India.
However, the report also indicates that the impeachment plot did not materialize, and India did not pursue or fund any efforts to oust the president. This development comes amid heightened tensions between Muizzu’s government and India, following Muizzu’s election as president in November 2023.
Muizzu’s Stance on India and Military Presence
One of the key elements of President Muizzu’s platform during his election campaign was the removal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. Muizzu, who is seen as having a pro-China stance, made this request to India shortly after assuming office in November 2023. The Indian military had stationed personnel in the Maldives to operate radar stations, maintain surveillance aircraft, and patrol the Maldives’ exclusive economic zone.
India’s military presence in the Maldives had been part of its strategic partnership with the island nation, which is located in a geopolitically sensitive region of the Indian Ocean. For India, the Maldives has long been an important ally in its competition with China for influence in the region. The withdrawal of Indian military forces marked a significant shift in the dynamics of this partnership.
Alleged Indian Involvement in the Plot
According to The Washington Post, the impeachment plot allegedly had links to Indian officials. The report cites an unidentified adviser to the Muizzu family, who claimed that a senior officer from India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) stationed in Washington had discussed the plan with opposition leaders in the Maldives in January 2024. Two Indian intermediaries were reportedly involved in exploring ways to overthrow Muizzu.
While the report does not provide conclusive evidence of India’s direct involvement, the alleged discussions suggest that the opposition’s efforts to impeach Muizzu may have had international dimensions, including potential support from foreign actors.
Geopolitical Ramifications
The revelations surrounding the alleged plot and India’s role in it have significant geopolitical implications. India’s withdrawal of military personnel from the Maldives and Muizzu’s subsequent request for the removal of Indian forces signal a potential realignment in the Maldives’ foreign policy. As Muizzu seeks closer ties with China, the Maldives may find itself navigating a complex diplomatic landscape, balancing relations between India and China.
India, for its part, remains a key player in the Indian Ocean region, and its strategic interests in the Maldives are unlikely to wane. The country’s influence in the region is likely to remain a point of contention, particularly as the Maldives navigates its relationship with both India and China.
