The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of Nauru on the eve of their Independence Day (January 31, 2016).

In a message to His Excellency Baron Divavesi Waqa, MP, the President of the Republic of Nauru, the President has said, "On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I have great pleasure in extending warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the people of the Republic of Nauru on the occasion of your Independence Day.

I take this opportunity to congratulate Nauru on its achievements since independence.

India and Nauru enjoy close bonds of friendship and cooperation. We both share a common desire to deepen our engagement to meet common challenges. I am confident that the relationship between our two countries will continue to strengthen in the years to come. Our joint initiatives bilaterally as well as within the framework of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation will help in enhancing our partnership in areas of common interest such as climate change, health care and information technology.

Please, accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your good health and personal well-being and for the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Nauru”.

This Press Release issued at 1320 hrs.