Nasheed and Aus Amb. discuss "Indian Ocean stability, democracy and more"

Former President Mohamed Nasheed met with Australia's High Commissioner to the Maldives, Bryce Hutchesson on Monday, in Sri Lanka.

The jailed former President, who has been granted political asylum by the United Kingdom, is currently in Sri Lanka, where he has been holding a number of high-level meetings. He arrived in Sri Lanka on January 29.

Following the meeting, both Nasheed and Hutchesson sent out tweets.

President Nasheed in his tweeted noted that he and the High Commissioner has discussed "on the role of Indian Ocean Rim states in maintaining Indian Ocean stability."

Hutchesson tweeted that he had a "valuable" meeting with President Nasheed, "on the importance of democracy, human rights, good governance in Maldives," adding that these are "values and standards that Australia supports."

In addition to HC Hutchesson, Nasheed has, during this trip to Lanka, met with US Ambassador Atul Keshap, British Ambassador James Dauris and the Ambassador of Germany, Jörn Rhode.

Despite criticism from the international community, over numerous decisions by the state, including to press charges against journalists, President Abdulla Yameen, during annual address at the Parliament inaugural session, maintained that "2016 had been a successful year for the nation, especially on a diplomatic front."

The President said that "the profile and respect for the nation had risen in the past year and that national interests had been protected," as well.

Nasheed, the best candidate for the party

The former President, who is the leader of the largest opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has held a number of high-level meetings with party senior officials last week, with the party even holding a National Congress session there. Nasheed had not taken part in a session since 2015, when he was arrested and senetenced to 13 years in jail over terror charges.

Last Saturday, in an interview with RaajjeTV's Fala Surukhee program, Nasheed said that both MDP National Congress and general members of the party were at a consensus that Nasheed serving as the candidate was "the best option for the Party".

“They do believe that there is no reason to seek out a new candidate. It’s clear to me that some will say that I do not have much leeway to contest, that I lack the requirements,” he said.

He also denied rumors that there was a loss of control within the party, saying that no one "can control the members of MDP."

Nasheed said that members of MDP "believe in free speech and democracy," and that taking control from them will be hard, adding neither he nor any individual can control the members of the party. He said that the "members will decide on the best course of action for both the Party and the nation."