Upon the celebration of the National Day of India, President Aníbal Cavaco Silva addressed a message to the Indian President of the Republic, Abdul Kalam.

Following is the text of the message:

Mister President and Dear Friend

On the occasion of the commemorations of the National Day of the Republic of India, I am particularly pleased to address Your Excellency, on behalf of the People of Portugal and in my own personal name, our sincere congratulations and wishes for your personal well being, as well as for the progress and prosperity of the People of India.

I am confident that the results reached during my recent State Visit to India, which I recollect with great pleasure, will permit the significant strengthening of the relations of cooperation between our two countries, in all domains, to the benefit of our Peoples. I wish to assure Your Excellency of my personal determination in pursuing this objective.

While reiterating my congratulations and hoping that I may meet Your Excellency again in the near future, in Portugal, I beg you to accept, Mister President, the expression of my highest consideration and personal esteem.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva