Indian President Pranab Mukherjee says Fiji is an important partner of India in the Pacific region and has made impressive progress since achieving independence.

Extending his greetings and felicitations to the government and people Fiji on Independence Day yesterday, Mukherjee says India and Fiji enjoy a very close, long-standing, warm and friendly relationship based on shared history and deep cultural linkages.

He says ties between the two countries have witnessed positive momentum in the recent period and India looks forward to seeing the relationship attaining new heights.

He wished Fijians success in the socio-economic development process.