This combination of file photos show, from left to right; then Malaysia’s President-elect Mahathir Mohamad, Maldives President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Pakistan politician Imran Khan. The three Muslim-majority South Asian countries have recently elected leaders who campaigned on promises to move away from China’s growing sphere of influence. The surprising elections of nonagenarian Mahathir Mohamad in Malaysia, cricketer Imran Khan in Pakistan and longtime opposition lawmaker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the Maldives could signal problems for the continued development of Beijing’s “Belt and Road” initiative to build ports, highways and other trade-related infrastructure. (AP Photo, File)
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