President Abdulla Yameen has sent Independence Day greetings to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

As the country marks its 70^th Independence Day, the President conveyed greetings from the government and people of Maldives "to the friendly people of India on the joyful occasion".

He added that he looked "forward to a stronger partnership in the years to come, founded on the common aspiration for greater peace and prosperity for our peoples".

Commemorating the nation's independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, India celebrates its Independence Day on the 15^th of August.

In his address to mark the day, PM Modi said that the people must be determined to create a 'New India', which he says "is an India where the system does not control the common man, but the common man should control the system".

Former President Mohamed Nasheed had also conveyed Independence Day greetins to India, calling is the "custodian of Indian Ocean's safety and security".