New Delhi, March 11 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday greeted Mauritius on the eve of the country's Independence Day and expressed the confidence that the "close bonds" between the two nations will continue to strengthen.

In his message to his Mauritius counterpart, Rajkeswur Purryag, Mukherjee said: "This day is not only significant in the history of the political struggle for freedom of both our countries but also symbolises how both India and Mauritius uphold the values of democracy."

"I am confident that our close bonds will continue to strengthen in the years ahead to the mutual benefit of our peoples," he said.

Mukherjee recalled Purryag's visit to India in January 2013 and his own visit to Mauritius two months later, which contributed to "further enhancing our extraordinary and unique bilateral relations".

"On behalf of the government and the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to extend warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the friendly people of Mauritius on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Independence Day."