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Maldives votes in election set to influence relations with India, China Voters in the Maldives were flocking to the polls on Sunday in a parliamentary election that may determine whether the Indian Ocean island nation continues its shift towards China and away from longstanding ties with India. "Maldives have traditionally been very close to India ... until China started to increase its influence in the western Indian Ocean through Chinese investments and huge infrastructure projects," FRANCE 24's Leela Jacinto said, pointing to the Maldives-China friendship bridge which links the capital Malé to the international airport.