New Delhi: Recognising the Sikh community's "invaluable" contribution to the economic, cultural and political life of the United Kingdom, its Prime Minister Tony Blair greeted the British Sikhs on the occasion of Baisakhi.

"I am pleased to send my best wishes to the British Sikh community for the festival of Baisakhi," he said in a statement issued by the British High Commission.

He said, "British Sikhs have made a real and invaluable contribution to the economic, cultural and political life of the UK. You are rightly proud of enduring Sikh values of equality, community and respect for other religions. These are principles and values that we can all share - Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike."

"I believe that Britain's cultural and religious diversity is one of its real strengths. Festivals like Baisakhi are a great opportunity to celebrate this diversity and I am delighted to have this opportunity to send my best wishes to you at this special time," Blair said.