New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday greeted Guatemala on its Independence Day which is being celebrated on Tuesday.

In a message to Guatemala President Otto Fernando Perez Molina, Mukherjee said: "It gives me great pleasure to extend warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your (Guatemala) Independence Day."

"India and Guatemala have a tradition of friendship and close ties. Our bilateral relations are being strengthened under the India-SICA Dialogue, to which India attaches great importance," the president said.

"I am confident that our multi-faceted cooperation will be enhanced to our mutual benefit in the years to come."

"On this occasion, I wish to convey to Your Excellency my best wishes for your personal well being and the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Guatemala," the president added.

Republic of Guatemala won its independence from Spain in 1821. Four other countries also declared their independence on September 15, 1821 -- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.