Speaker of the Parliament and Former President Mohamed Nasheed has stated that the opposition leader Abdulla Yameen is an educated, intellectual and visionary. Nasheed made the following remarks while speaking with reporters in Male' city. 

Nasheed highlighted that President Yameen, who graduated from the American University in Beirut, is a leader with vision and direction, unlike the incumbent President Solih. He further noted that the only disagreement with him is the "India Out" campaign. He suggested balancing the MDP and PPM positions on the India Out issue and is optimistic that the group can find a resolution.

Before Yameen's 11-year prison sentence, his speech highlighted that Indian soldiers could not stay in the Maldives and promised to withdraw Indian troops from the Maldives if the party came to power. After the Supreme Court determined that the five-year sentence he had received from the trial court was unconstitutional, he expanded his India Out movement. A resolution was subsequently issued by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who also gave the security forces an order to put an end to the situation.

Additionally, the government has submitted a measure to parliament that would change the Penal Code to include criticism of India as a crime. If the legislation is approved, any criticism of India or Indian people or organizations would be illegal. The action has drawn criticism for trying to stifle free speech and muzzle opposing viewpoints.