On Monday, 29 September 2025, the High Commission of Malta in  New Delhi, India, celebrated the 61st Anniversary of Malta’s attainment of Independence on 21st September 1964.

During this reception, the High Commissioner of Malta to India, H.E. Mr. Reuben Gauci, and his wife, Dr Olga V Gauci, together with the Deputy Head of Mission, Mrs Tarniem Mangion Shokry Iskandar, and her husband, Mr Ninian Mangion, as well as the Second Secretary and Consul, Mr Daniel Mallia, welcomed a large gathering of guests at the Ambassador Hotel in New Delhi.

The Chief Guest of the evening was H.E. Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) of the Ministry of External Affairs Government of India.

An online speech by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Dr Ian Borg, commemorating Malta’s Independence, was shown to the esteemed audience and was warmly appreciated.

In his address, High Commissioner Reuben Gauci highlighted that this year marks the 60h Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Malta and India, established on 10 March 1965. He noted that Malta and India share a brotherly relationship dating back to their time under the British Empire, through their attainment of Independence, the establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and their membership in the Commonwealth of Nations.

High Commissioner Gauci also emphasized that the Republic of Malta admires the Government of India’s drive for a self-reliant India and expressed Malta’s belief that the forthcoming Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India will further enhance the Indian economy and strengthen India’s self-reliance.

Throughout the evening, the Maltese musical group Kantera entertained the guests with Maltese folkloristic music. The group travelled from Malta to participate in the 9^th International Folklor Festival of India, organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Their visit was sponsored by the Indian company A & Z Import and Export-India and ICCR.

A & Z Import and Export-India has been importing Maltese products into India since August 2022, beginning with the Maltese beer Cisk. In May 2023, the company added the Maltese snack Twistees to its imports, followed by the Maltese green energy drink Go & Fun in September 2023.

During this year’s reception, A & Z Import and Export-India launched the importation of the traditional Maltese Water Biscuits Galletti, produced by the Maltese company Crackeys. The owner of Crackeys, Mrs Maria Buhagiar, travelled to India to be present for the occasion.