India, Mauritius have shared cultural heritage: President

Extending his greetings and felicitations to the government and people of Mauritius on the occasion of the republic's 48th Independence Day, President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said that the two countries have a "shared cultural heritage".

Mauritius celebrates their Independence Day on March 12.

In a message to Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the president of Mauritius, Mukherjee said, "On behalf of the government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the people of Mauritius on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Mauritius."

He said that the date, March 12, is significant in the history of the political struggle of both countries and symbolises "our shared commitment to the democratic principles of liberty, equality and fraternity."

"India and Mauritius enjoy a longstanding and special relationship based on our historical ties of kinship and shared cultural heritage. The year 2015 was a landmark year as some important commitments and decisions concluded during this period have re-energised our cooperation and strengthened our close friendship," Mukherjee said in his message.

Mukherjee hoped that "our extraordinary and unique bilateral relations" will continue to deepen in the years ahead.