Queen, PM wish India on 60th anniversary of Independence

Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown have congratulated India on the 60th anniversary of Independence, hoping that the Indo-UK relationship will remain permanently intertwined.

In her message to President Pratibha Patil, the Queen said, "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." Prime Minister Brown, in a message to his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, said, "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," Brown said.