New Delhi, July 27 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday greeted the government and people of Peru on the country's National Day on July 28.

In a message to his Peruvian counterpart, Ollanta Humala, the president said: "On behalf of the government, 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 people of Peru on the occasion of your National Day."

India and Peru traditionally enjoy close and friendly relations which have strengthened and widened to include many new areas of cooperation.

The president said he is confident that the relations between the two countries will continue to strengthen and diversify in the coming years.

He said, "I would like to convey to Your Excellency my best wishes for your happiness and good health, as well as for the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Peru."

The day marks Peru's declaration of independence from Spain in 1821. However, absolute independence was gained in 1824.