New Delhi, June 16 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday extended his greetings and felicitations to the government and people of Iceland on the eve of their National Day.

In his message to Iceland President Olafur Ragnar-Grimsson, Mukherjee said: "On behalf of the government, people of India and on my own behalf, it is with great pleasure that I convey my warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the people of Iceland on the occasion of your National Day."

"Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your good health and well-being and for the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Iceland," Mukherjee said.

Icelandic National Day is an annual holiday in the country which commemorates the foundation of The Republic of Iceland on June 17, 1944 and its independence from Danish rule.

"The traditionally warm and friendly relations between our two countries are based on our shared values and many common interests," the president said in a statement.

"I am confident that our two countries will continue our multifaceted cooperation to our mutual benefit in the years to come. India looks forward to Iceland's support in our developmental process in areas such as fisheries, geothermal energy, Arctic studies, earthquake prediction and research, among others," Mukherjee said.