Leaders from South Asian neighbouring countries invoked enduring friendship rooted in history and strengthening of bilateral relations, while presidents and PMs from other regions spoke about strategic ties and regional ethos
Leaders from across the world, including Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and Canada’s leader Justin Trudeau, greeted India and its leadership as the country celebrated its 78th Independence Day on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked several world leaders for their I-Day wishes.
While most of the leaders from the South Asian neighbouring countries invoked enduring friendship rooted in history and strengthening of bilateral relations when they greeted their counterparts, presidents and prime ministers from other regions spoke about strategic ties and regional ethos.
‘Indo-Canadians Integral Part of National Identity’
Trudeau extended his congratulations, saying Indo-Canadian communities were an integral part of his country’s national identity. He said Canada has one of the largest and most vibrant Indian diasporas in the world, whose contribution play a vital role in shaping the country.
Wishing India on behalf of his government, he said Canada stands ready to work with India to make life better for people in both the countries. “Today, we join the people of India and Indo-Canadians in marking India’s Independence Day,” he said.
Canada is home to over 1.3 million people of Indian origin – one of the largest and most vibrant Indian diasporas in the world, Trudeau said. “The diverse Indo-Canadian communities across our country are an integral part of our national identity. They play a vital role in shaping Canada, making us stronger and better. Today, we celebrate the contributions they have made, and continue to make, to strengthen our country and secure our prosperity,” he said.
Strategic Partnership Important Pillar For Future: Meloni
Posting a picture of her and Modi at the G7 summit in June, Italy’s leader Giorgia Meloni extended her wishes on India’s Independence Day. She said the strategic partnership between both the countries was important for the future.
“On the occasion of the 78th Independence Day, I would like to express my heartfelt wishes to the people of India, and especially to the many Indians who follow this page. Italy and India share an ever-stronger bond, and I am confident that together we will achieve great things. Our strategic partnership is an important pillar for the future. @narendramodi” she wrote in a post on X in Italian.
In occasione del 78° Giorno dell'Indipendenza, desidero esprimere i miei più sinceri auguri al popolo indiano, e in particolare ai molti indiani che seguono questa pagina. Italia e India condividono un legame sempre più forte, e sono certa che insieme raggiungeremo grandi… pic.twitter.com/DG8Ujo03Co— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) August 15, 2024
To this, the prime minister responded saying he is grateful for Meloni’s wishes and hoped that India and Italy’s friendship should grow and contribute towards a better planet.
“Grateful for your Independence Day wishes, PM @GiorgiaMeloni. May the India-Italy friendship keep growing and contributing towards a better planet,” he wrote on X.
Grateful for your Independence Day wishes, PM @GiorgiaMeloni. May the India-Italy friendship keep growing and contributing towards a better planet. https://t.co/6d1YTyUy9a— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2024
Confident our partnership will strengthen: Muizzu
Fresh from last week’s visit by external affairs minister S Jaishankar to reset India’s bilateral ties with the Maldives, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said on X: “On the occasion of India’s Independence Day, I extend heartfelt congratulations to President @rashtrapatibhvn, Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the people of India.”
He added: “Our enduring friendship, rooted in history, has evolved to foster prosperity and development in the Maldives and the region. As we look to the future, I am confident that our partnership will continue to strengthen, driving mutual prosperity and shared goals.”
On the occasion of India’s Independence Day, I extend heartfelt congratulations to President @rashtrapatibhvn, Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the people of . Our enduring friendship, rooted in history, has evolved to foster prosperity and development in the Maldives and the… pic.twitter.com/HCtYMG0VLa— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) August 15, 2024
Muizzu’s cabinet colleague and foreign minister Moosa Zameer extended warm greetings and best wishes to Jaishankar, the government, and the people of India. “Wishing for continued peace, progress and prosperity for the people of India and for a stronger and vibrant bilateral partnership between #Maldives and #India,” he said in a post on X.
Maldives’ former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, head of the main opposition Maldives Democratic Party and former Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid too sent over their greetings. “As India moves toward its goal of #ViksitBharat, we remain grateful for all the support India has extended to the Maldives and the security and wellbeing of the Indian Ocean region. May the ties of friendship that have existed between the peoples of India and Maldives since ancient times long endure.”
Macron’s message in Hindi, Putin on India’s ‘well-deserved authority in world arena’
Extending his wishes in both Hindi and English, French President Emmanuel Macron also greeted India on Independence Day. He said he remembers the warm welcome during his visit to India in January and that he is looking forward to “working with my friend @NarendraModi on achieving the ambitious goals we have set for our strategic partnership”.
सभी भारतवासियों को 78वें स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।मुझे जनवरी में अपनी भारत यात्रा के दौरान आपकी गर्मजोशी भरा स्वागत याद है और मैं अपने मित्र @NarendraModi के साथ हमारी रणनीतिक साझेदारी के लिए निर्धारित महत्वाकांक्षी लक्ष्यों को प्राप्त करने के लिए उत्सुक हूं। pic.twitter.com/CPsh4YBKs0
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 15, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Modi on the occasion. “We attach great importance to the relations of a particularly privileged strategic partnership with India. I am confident that the consistent implementation of the agreements reached following our recent talks in Moscow will contribute to the further development of multifaceted Russian-Indian cooperation,” he said in a statement.
According to the Russian president, this undoubtedly meets the interests of the friendly peoples of the two countries and is in line with the consolidation of security and international stability. Russia’s ministry of foreign affairs posted on X: “India enjoys well-deserved authority in the world arena, playing a major constructive role in international affairs. We cordially congratulate our Indian friends on Independence Day!”
What India’s neighbours said
Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli took to X to write: “Warm congratulations to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and the people of India on 78th Independence Day! May this day strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our nations. Looking forward to advancing Nepal-India relations.”
Warm congratulations to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and the people of India on 78th Independence Day! May this day strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our nations. Looking forward to advancing Nepal-India relations.#IndependenceDayIndia— K P Sharma Oli (@kpsharmaoli) August 15, 2024
The country’s minister of foreign affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba also took to X to say, “On the occasion of the 78th Independence Day of India, I wish to extend warm greetings and felicitations to His Excellency @DrSJaishankar and the friendly people of India.” “May the ties of friendship and cooperation between Nepal and India continue to strengthen. Wishing peace, prosperity, and progress to the people of India,” she said with a hashtag #NepalIndiaRelations.
Tagging @narendramodi and @PMOIndia handles, Bhutan’s PM Tshering Tobgay said on X, “Wishing the government and people of India a very happy Independence Day! May the special friendship between Bhutan and India grow ever stronger.”
Wishing the government and people of India a very happy Independence Day! May the special friendship between grow ever stronger. @narendramodi@PMOIndia— Tshering Tobgay (@tsheringtobgay) August 15, 2024
Sri Lankan foreign minister MUM Ali Sabry sent “warm wishes” to Jaishankar, and the government and people of India and said, “I am confident that the excellent bilateral ties between our nations will continue to strengthen in the years to come.”
Mauritius, Singapore extend greetings
Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Mauritius PM in his greetings posted on X sent “warmest congratulations” to Modi and the people of India and wished “long live the vibrant and ever flourishing Mauritius Bharat relationship”.
Mauritius foreign minister Maneesh Gobin said: “On this day we honour the enduring ties that unite our nations. Together, we grow stronger.” He also used Hindi slogans of ‘Jai Bharat’ and ‘Jai Mauritius’ signifying victory while posting the greetings on X.
Singapore’s minister for foreign affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said he looked forward “to building on our close and longstanding relations with the 60th anniversary of Singapore-India ties next year”.
Messages from the Middle East
Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said his country stood with India in its celebrations and valued its “diversity and unity”. “As India marks its 78th Independence Day today, I extend heartfelt wishes to my dear friend @DrSJaishankar and the people of India,” Katz wrote on X.
“Israel stands with you in celebrating this special occasion, valuing the strength, diversity, and unity of this great nation”, the Israeli foreign minister stressed, writing the same message in Hindi as well.
Prime Minister of UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said India’s celebration of its 78th Independence Day was a “testament to the nation’s incredible developmental journey”.
“As we celebrate this significant milestone, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my friend @narendramodi, Prime Minister of India, and the Indian people. The UAE remains dedicated to reinforcing our friendship, advancing our bilateral cooperation, and fostering strong bonds across all facets of our enduring partnership. Wishing our Indian friends a joyous Independence Day,” he added in his message on X.
What US and UK said
Predicting a bright future for US-India strategic relations, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the two countries share a deep bond, which is founded on their shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and human dignity.
Congratulating the people of India ahead of the country’s Independence Day, Blinken said in a statement: “On this momentous day, we celebrate the rich and diverse history of the Indian people and the bright future of US-Indian relations.”
David Lammy, UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth, congratulated “the people of India and Indians around the world on the 77th anniversary of independence” and said on X: “In Delhi, I saw the strength of the UK-India living bridge. Together we will boost investment, create jobs and address future challenges together in the years ahead.” Prime Minister of UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said India’s celebration of its 78th Independence Day was a “testament to the nation’s incredible developmental journey.”
Bagher Kani, acting foreign minister of Iran, Australian minister of foreign affairs Senator Penny Wong, Armenia’s minister of foreign affairs Ararat Mirzoyan, and several other leaders also wished Modi, Jaishankar and India.
Apart from the personal messages from the leaders, the respective foreign ministries of several countries wished India from their official X handles. These included Egypt, Ukraine, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Cyprus, Estonia, Oman, Romania, Iceland and Latvia.
(With PTI inputs)
