New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday extended his greetings to the government and people of Fiji on their Independence Day.

In his message to the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Mukherjee said: "I would like to extend warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the people of Fiji on the occasion of your Independence Day."

"Fiji is an important partner of India in the Pacific region and has made impressive progress since achieving independence," he said in a statement here.

"India and Fiji enjoy a very close, long-standing, warm and friendly relationship based on shared history and deep cultural linkages. Our ties have witnessed positive momentum in the recent period and I look forward to see our relationship attaining new heights," he added.

"I wish the people of Fiji great success in their socio-economic development process, thereby achieving greater all-round progress."

Fiji is a country in the South Pacific and celebrates its Independence on October 10.