President Pranab Mukherjee Monday extended greetings to the Maldives government and people on the eve of the island-state's Republic Fay and said he is confident that bilateral ties would continue to grow and strengthen in the coming years.

 

 In his message to President Abdulla Yameen, President Mukherjee conveyed his "warm felicitations and good wishes" for the Maldives Republic Day Nov 11.

 

 He said that "India and Maldives enjoy close and cordial relations based on mutual  trust and cooperation". 

 

 "As India and Maldives celebrate the 50th year of the establishment of our diplomatic relations commencing Nov 2014, I am confident that our relationship will continue to expand and strengthen further in the coming years to the mutual benefit of our peoples", a Rashtrapati Bhavan press release said, quoting the President.