India, July 24 -- Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives, former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has hailed the nation's ties with India.

Speaking to reporters ahead of PM Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the island nation, Shahid praised India for its support to Maldives over the years and stated that New Delhi truly served as a "first responder" for the nation.

"The relationship between Maldives and India has always demonstrated that India is the first responder. Whenever we dial the international line, India responds first. It is for many reasons," the former minister told news agency ANI.

Furthermore, he added that India has never let Maldives down.

"Whenever anything of urgency and distressful happens in Ma...