India at 80: Global partners send greetings, back stronger regional ties

India's global partners sent Independence Day greetings and reaffirmed closer bilateral ties. The messages highlighted regional cooperation, trade links and India's widening strategic reach.

In Short

• Leaders from five neighbours and partners praised India's enduring friendships
• Singapore stressed cooperation in trade, digital economy, energy security and transition
• The US said bilateral collaboration boosts prosperity across the Indian Ocean

India's key global partners extended greetings to the country on its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, while reaffirming their commitment to stronger bilateral ties and regional cooperation. Messages came from Israel, Nepal, Singapore, Bhutan and the Maldives, with the United States having sent its greetings a day earlier.

The messages highlighted friendship with India, close people-to-people links and cooperation across areas including trade, the digital economy, energy security and regional stability. Several leaders also spoke of building on long-standing ties and finding new opportunities for mutual benefit.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog wished President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the "wonderful people" of India on Independence Day. "May we continue to strengthen the beautiful friendship between Israel and India," he said in a social media post.

On the occasion, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra 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.

In a letter to President Murmu, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam congratulated her and the people of India, saying both countries share an "enduring interest in a peaceful, open, and connected region".

He said Singapore would continue working closely with India, 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. Calling Singapore-India ties "multifaceted", he said the two countries also share a robust and forward-looking Comprehensive Strategic Partnership supported 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.

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also greeted 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."

He added, "May the enduring friendship and close ties between Bhutan and India continue to flourish." Former Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also extended greetings, calling India's journey since 1947 an "inspiration to developing countries".

"Warm felicitations to President Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn, PM @narendramodi, and our dear friends, the people of India, on the occasion of India's Independence Day. 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.

The Embassy of Ireland and Consulate General in Mumbai extended their wishes to Indians worldwide, saying, “Happy 80th Independence Day, India!” The mission also shared photographs from its Malcha Marg office as it prepares to move to a new, larger premises.

Calling it a fitting moment to reflect on the India-Ireland relationship, the embassy said the ties between the two countries had come a long way, while looking ahead to what lies in store for the partnership.

Australia also joined the celebrations. Australian High Commissioner Philip Green OAM shared Independence Day greetings in Hindi and English, with photographs showing the High Commission illuminated in the colours of the Indian tricolour.

“Our team proudly dressing in the colours of the Indian tricolour,” Green said, extending wishes to Indians across the globe and adding the hashtag #HarGharTiranga.

Latvia too conveyed its greetings to India, wishing the country continued “progress, unity, and prosperity” on its 80th Independence Day.

Earlier on Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed his greetings and said 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 countries, and the wider Indian Ocean region, safer, stronger and more prosperous. Taken together, the messages underlined India's wide-ranging partnerships and the focus on deepening ties across the region and beyond.

- Ends
With PTI Inputs