The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa on the eve of the Freedom Day of South Africa (April 27, 2016).

In his message to His Excellency Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, the President of the Republic of South Africa,the President has said, "On behalf of the Government and the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to extend to the friendly people of South Africa warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your Freedom Day.

India and South Africa share a longstanding friendship that is rooted in history and our shared values. Our cooperation has evolved into a strategic partnership-nurtured by our multifaceted and vibrant engagement covering diverse sectors of our mutual interest. Our initiative under the aegis of IBSA, BRICS and BASIC have added even greater value and substance to our engagement. Your Excellency’s participation in the Third India Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in October, 2015 contributed substantially to the efforts of this forum and will serve to reinforce the ties between India and Africa in the coming years. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation for the benefit of our two peoples.

Please accept, Excellency, my good wishes for your personal well-being, as well as for the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of South Africa”.

This Press Release issued at 1210 hrs.