Maldives foreign minister appreciates Indian help

Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon on Saturday appreciated India for its prompt response in reaching out to the island nations' water crisis and added that her nation strongly values the close relationship and friendship with New Delhi.

"India has been one of our longest development partners. We have a long enduring and a very trusted friendship based on mutual respect. I personally called the External Affairs Minister on the evening of Thursday and I am very happy that both the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister and the government of India has responded very quickly to our request," Maumoon told ANI here.

"We strongly value the relationship, and based on mutual respect I think we want this close relationship and friendship to continue in the future," she added.

According to reports, water supply to more than 100,000 residents in the Maldives' capital was cut off, after the city's water treatment plant caught fire.

The country reportedly appealed to India, Sri Lanka, China and the United States for help.