The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the King and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the eve of their National Day (September 23, 2016).

In a message to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the President has said, "On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it is with great pleasure that I extend warm greetings and felicitations to Your Majesty and to the friendly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of your National Day.

Our close and friendly relations are based on millennia-old cultural and economic exchanges underpinned by extensive people-to-people contacts.

Regular high-level exchanges and fruitful interactions have enabled us to expand our mutually beneficial cooperation into a comprehensive strategic partnership. I am confident that our multifaceted bilateral ties will continue to diversify and strengthen in the years to come.

I take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for the good health and happiness of Your Majesty, as well as for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.

This Release issued at 1250 hrs.