'India attaches great importance to its long standing friendship with Sweden': Prez

Asserting that India attaches great importance to its long standing friendship with Sweden, President Pranab Mukherjee has said that though the two nations are geographically distant from each other, but are bound by a common commitment to democratic values and practice.

"We are both open, pluralistic societies that are committed to the protection of human rights and the Rule of Law. We have, over the years, developed mutual trust and goodwill that has brought our people together to achieve our common goals in many sectors," said President Mukherjee at a banquet hosted in his honour here.

"Our bilateral relations have never been better and our people share a desire to see the enhancement of our co-operation to its full potential," he added.

President Mukherjee said both countries have similar views on many issues of regional and global concern.

"We have been co-operating closely in the United Nations and other multilateral fora - where India appreciates the support that we have received and continue to receive from Sweden," President Mukherjee said.

"We are grateful for your endorsement of India's rightful claim to Permanent Membership of the United Nations Security Council and for your proactive efforts that helped India achieve Observer status in the Arctic Council during the period of Sweden's Chairmanship, he added.

President Mukherjee said the new government in India has taken a number of initiatives to encourage investments, boost the manufacturing sector in India, promote skill development, develop smart cities and engage closely with all interested partners and investors - both in India and abroad - to realise these objectives," he added.

"I am confident that the bilateral agreements that we have signed during my visit will lead to further fruitful engagement in the many fields where India and Sweden have obvious complementarities," he added.

The President also invited King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden to visit India.

"It would be a great pleasure and privilege to receive you in New Delhi," he said.

President Mukherjee also conveyed India's best wishes to the people of Sweden as they celebrate their National Day on June 6.

"I thank Your Majesty for your gracious words. It is indeed a privilege to make this first ever State Visit by a President of India to Sweden. I deeply appreciate the splendid welcome and the gracious hospitality accorded to me and to my delegation," he said in his banquet speech last evening.