Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has sent the following message to Her Excellency The President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of India's Independence: "I have much pleasure in sending you and the people of the Republic of India my very best wishes on the occasion of your 60th anniversary of Independence." British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband have also sent their best wishes from the British people.

PM Brown said in a message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh:"I celebrate the strength of the UK-India relationship. Our history, values and hopes are, and will remain, permanently intertwined."

Sixty years on from Independence, the UK and India share a strong and valuable relationship. This unique relationship between the two countries and the two governments has never been better. We share a modern and forward looking relationship which is underpinned by growing business and cultural links. The UK is one of the largest investors in India and India is a fast growing and important resource of high quality investment in the UK. Our people to people links continue to grow with over one million people travelling between the two countries last year.