Pranab Mukherjee felicitates new Indonesian President Joko Widodo

President Pranab Mukherjee today said India wants to further strengthen its close ties with Indonesia as he wished the new President of that country on assuming office.

In his message to the Indonesian leader Joko Widodo, the President said "India and Indonesia are friendly neighbours with historical contacts and civilisational interaction that have enriched both societies.

"As the world's two largest democracies and dynamic economies with strong complementarities and common challenges, we are natural partners for mutually beneficial cooperation," the President was quoted as saying by a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson.

Our two countries, the President said, have established close understanding in key areas of common interest and have adopted a five-pronged initiative for strengthening our strategic partnership that includes robust strategic engagement, defence and security cooperation, comprehensive economic partnership and cultural as well as people-to-people links.

"I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the close and friendly relations between our two countries," Mukherjee said.

"I take this opportunity to convey to your Excellency my best wishes for your personal well-being and success and the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Indonesia," he said.