New Delhi, July 13 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee has greeted the people of Iraq and its President Fuad Masum on the occasion of the west Asian country's National Day on Tuesday.

"It is with immense pleasure that I extend warm greetings and felicitations to Your Excellency and to the friendly people of Iraq on the occasion of your National Day," the president said in a message on Monday to his Iraqi counterpart.

"India deeply values its close and friendly relations with the Republic of Iraq, which are rooted in ancient trade and cultural links and people-to-people contacts," Mukherjee said in a statement.

"We are confident that with the strong commitment of both our great nations, these ties will be further strengthened as we broaden our bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefit of the people of our two countries," the president said.

He also said that India strongly supports the Iraqi people and the government in their efforts to overcome the current crisis, uphold national sovereignty and preserve territorial integrity.