The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on the eve of their Independence Day (January 4, 2017).

In a message to His Excellency U Htin Kyaw, the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the President has said, "On behalf of the Government and people of India and on my own behalf, I extend to you warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

India and Myanmar cherish our long standing close and friendly relations. I warmly recall your visit to India in August, 2016, on which occasion we reviewed our bilateral relationship and jointly identified the areas of shared interest where we would like to strengthen our cooperation to our mutual benefit. I am confident that our efforts will meet with success and contribute to the realization of our respective developmental goals.

I take this opportunity to extend my best wishes for your personal well-being and success and the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Myanmar”.

This Press Release issued at 1235 hrs.