Pakistan, March 13 -- There's no telling where the geopolitical tide would choose to drift next. After what seemed like an eternity of Indian influence in the neighbouring island country Maldives, President Mohamed Muizzu has finally taken a stand and delivered on the "India Out" campaign he had come riding on last November.

With the official deadline issued in the diktat to withdraw troops stationed in the hovering by, change of guard begun and details of new defence alliances with China spilling over to media, the bilateral relationship has officially jumped off the rocky cliff. The defence pact between the Maldives and China could potentially tip the balance of power in the Indian Ocean and challenge India's hegemony in the region. Th...