On India’s 80th Independence Day, global leaders from countries like the US, UK, France, Russia, and Iran expressed their congratulations, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral relationships and regional cooperation.
Photo : ANI
The United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Israel, Iran and other global partners on Saturday extended greetings to India on its 80th Independence Day, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and regional cooperation.French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian were among leaders who hailed ties with India on the occasion.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio Wishes India
On behalf of the United States of America, it was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who extended greetings to India on the occasion.
Rubio extended his greetings and asserted that the bilateral ties were stronger than ever due to the personal relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Modi.
In a statement, Rubio said the deep ties of friendship and family between the people of the two countries form the foundation of a partnership that is innovative, resilient and forward-looking.
“On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm congratulations to the people of India on their Independence Day,” Rubio said, adding that bilateral collaboration is making both nations, and the broader Indian Ocean region, safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
Vladimir Putin Greets President Murmu, PM Modi
Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing confidence that the constructive bilateral partnership will help enhance international security and stability.
Putin said Russia-India relations are developing successfully in the spirit of a “particularly privileged strategic partnership”.
He pointed out that Moscow and New Delhi are engaged in “fruitful cooperation” across a wide range of areas and coordinate closely within the framework of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, and other multilateral institutions.
“I am confident that, through our joint efforts, we will continue to comprehensively strengthen the constructive Russia-India partnership for the benefit of our friendly peoples and in the interests of enhancing international security and stability,” the Russian president said.
UK Foreign Minister Extends I-Day Greetings
“Wishing Indians in the UK, in India and around the world a very happy 80th Independence Day,” the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office posted on X.
India Went From Strength to Strength in 8 Decades, Says Australian PM Anthony Albanese
Australian Prime Minister Albanese also conveyed his greetings on the occasion, asserting that India has gone “from strength to strength” in the eight decades since its independence.
In a statement, he said that India, as the world’s largest democracy and fastest-growing major economy, “fills us with awe at the scale of its achievements and the vastness of its potential”.
Albanese recalled his “friend” Modi’s recent visit to Australia, where he told the Indian prime minister, “Our relationship has never been more consequential”.
“We are excited to further deepen Australia and India’s engagement in new and growing areas with the support of the many Australians of Indian heritage who are the living bridge in our valued friendship.
“I join you in celebrating India’s history and culture, rich diversity and extraordinary achievements – and in celebrating the promise our shared future holds,” he said.
Best Yet To Come: Netanyahu on India-Israel Ties
Congratulating India, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the two countries’ innovation and friendship are “boundless”, but the “best is yet to come”.
“Congratulations to India and to my dear friend @PMOIndia @narendramodi on your 80th Independence Day”, Netanyahu posted on X shortly after the end of Sabbath on Saturday evening.
“India and Israel achieved independence one year apart. We are two ancient nations that seize the future together to bring a better life for our people”, the Israeli Premier noted.
“Our innovation and friendship are boundless. The best is yet to come!”, he said. “Congratulations to the Indian people on your 80th Independence Day!” he added.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also wished India’s top leadership and the “wonderful people” of the country on Independence Day.
“May we continue to strengthen the beautiful friendship between Israel and India,” he said in a social media post.
Maldives Wishes India on I-Day
In his greeting, Maldivian leader Muizzu reiterated the archipelago’s commitment to enhance bilateral ties with India.
“Eight decades of Independence reflect the aspirations, resilience and enduring spirit of the Government and people of India.
“On this auspicious occasion, I reaffirm the commitment of the Government of Maldives to further advance our close partnership built upon mutual respect, shared prosperity and enduring friendship between our two peoples,” he said on X.
Singapore Wishes India on Independence Day
In a letter to President Murmu, her Singaporean counterpart Tharman Shanmugaratnam congratulated her and the people of India on the occasion, asserting that both countries share an “enduring interest in a peaceful, open, and connected region”.
The city-state will continue working closely with India, as one of ASEAN’s oldest Dialogue Partners, to strengthen regional integration and resilience, especially in trade, the digital economy, energy security, and the energy transition, he said.
Calling the Singapore-India ties “multifaceted”, he said the two nations also share a robust and forward-looking Comprehensive Strategic Partnership underpinned by close people-to-people ties.
“By drawing on our complementary strengths, I am confident that our two countries will continue to identify fresh opportunities for the benefit of our peoples,” he said.
Nepalese PM Balen Shah Shares Heartfelt Greetings on I-Day
On the occasion, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah extended “heartfelt greetings” to Prime Minister Modi and the “friendly people” of India.
“May the deep historical ties, close people-to-people relations and cooperation between Nepal and India continue to strengthen in the years ahead,” Shah said, according to a social media post by his office.
Iran President Congratulates PM Modi on I-Day
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday also congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
In a message to PM Modi, Pezeshkian highlighted the deep historical, cultural, civilizational, and popular ties between the two nations, calling them a “valuable asset for creating brighter prospects in bilateral relations based on common interests,” the report said.
Bhutan Extends Independence Day Wishes
Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also wished the government and people of India on Independence Day.
In a social media post, he said, “To my elder brother PM Narendra Modi and the people of India, I extend my warm wishes on the 80th Independence Day.”
“May the enduring friendship and close ties between Bhutan and India continue to flourish.”
Inspiration To Developing Countries: Maldives on India’s I-Day
In his message, former Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih called India’s journey since 1947 an “inspiration to developing countries”.
“India’s journey since 1947 has been an inspiration to developing countries such as the Maldives on our own path to democracy. May the close ties of cooperation and friendship that exist between Maldives–India grow ever stronger,” he said on X.
Canada Wishes India
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasised on the occasion that 1.8 million Indian-origin Canadians strengthen the bond between the two countries.
“On India’s Independence Day, we celebrate the deep connections that bring our people together. More than 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin have helped to shape Canada, enriching our communities and strengthening those bonds across generations,” Anand posted on X.
Ukraine on India’s 80th Independence Day
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, also congratulated Indians, saying that Ukraine “remains committed to further strengthening our political dialogue, deepening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation between our countries.”