President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has received Independence Day ‎greetings from Head of States and leaders of foreign countries.‎

Messages of felicitations have been sent by the Prime Minister of Republic ‎of India H.E. Narendra Modi, ‎President of the United States of America ‎H.E. Barack Obama, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United ‎Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister of ‎Malaysia H.E. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun ‎Haji Abdul Razak and the ‎United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Independence Day ‎greetings were also sent by His Majesty ‎Emperor Akihito and the Prime ‎Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan.‎

‎“As a close neighbour and friend, India attaches the highest importance to ‎further strengthening its multifaceted relationship with Maldives. I am ‎confident that the close and friendly relations existing between our two ‎countries would continue to flourish and expand in the years ahead under ‎your able leadership” reads the message of felicitation from the Prime ‎Minister of India, H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi.‎

In his message, President Barack Obama stated that the United States ‎stands with the people of Maldives, as they demonstrate their commitment ‎to democracy and rule of law. ‎

‎“We congratulate you on last year’s presidential elections and stand ready ‎to assist in reinforcing democratic and transparent governance. We also ‎welcome Maldives’ efforts to advance human rights for all and combat ‎trafficking in persons, and look forward to continuing to work together on ‎issues of mutual interest, including combating climate change and ‎encouraging economic development”, said President Obama in his message.‎

In his message, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan expressed his pleasure ‎to welcome President Yameen to Japan earlier this year, which constituted ‎the first official visit by a Maldivian President. Prime Minister Abe further ‎expressed his commitment to working with the Maldives’ Government to ‎further deepen and expand the cordial relations toward 2017, the 50th ‎anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the ‎two countries. ‎

Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Sri Mohd Najib, in his message of ‎felicitation, noted that the diplomatic relations between the two countries ‎have strengthened since the establishment of diplomatic relations over four ‎decades ago. Prime Minister Najib also reiterated his commitment of ‎working together with President Yameen to further explore the ‎opportunities abound in expanding the relations to a new height. ‎

In her message, Queen Elizabeth conveyed her congratulations on the ‎celebration of ‎Independence Day, and wished the people of Maldives good ‎fortune and ‎happiness.‎

Heads of various international and regional organisations have also been ‎sending greetings to the President, on the occasion of the Independence ‎Day of the Maldives.‎