President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday greeted the government and people of the Central Pacific island republic Kiribati on their Independence Day.

“Warm greetings and felicitations to the government and people of Kiribati on their Independence Day,” Mukherjee tweeted.

Kiribati got independence on July 12, 1979.

In a message to the President of Kiribati Taneti Mamau, he said: “On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it is with great pleasure that I extend warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kiribati.”

President Mukherjee, in his message said that India and Kiribati have traditionally enjoyed warm and cordial relations based on respect, goodwill and mutual understanding.

“India remains committed to support Kiribati and other Pacific Island Countries in their developmental needs. I firmly believe that in the near future, our joint developmental initiatives in the areas of renewable energy and Information Technology will help create a solid foundation for the further strengthening of this valued partnership,” the president added.