New Delhi, Aug. 16 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hoped that Ukraine has a future marked by peace, progress and prosperity.

In a message to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the Prime Minister said he deeply values the joint commitment to forging even closer ties between India and Ukraine.

''We earnestly wish our friends in Ukraine a future marked by peace, progress and prosperity,'' Prime Minister Modi said while replying to the congratulatory message sent by the Ukrainian President on India's 79th Independence Day.

Earlier the Ukrainian President had in his congratulatory message expressed the hope that India will contribute to the efforts aimed at ending the war so that the freedom and sovereignty of Ukrainians are...