World leaders hail India’s remarkable journey, expanding global role on 80th Independence Day
By R Anil Kumar
New Delhi/Bengaluru, August 15, 2026. Leaders from across the world, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, extended greetings to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the country’s 80th Independence Day on Saturday, lauding its remarkable journey since independence and its growing role on the global stage.
The messages from heads of state, governments and foreign missions highlighted India’s economic and technological progress, democratic journey, civilisational heritage and expanding partnerships, while expressing confidence in stronger bilateral ties in the years ahead.
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a post on X, congratulated the Indian people on the occasion, while Slovak President Peter Pellegrini described India’s journey as “extraordinary” and said he looked forward to working with President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi to strengthen the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended greetings to President Murmu and PM Modi, saying India was achieving “remarkable success” in economic, social, scientific and technological fields and was enjoying high esteem on the world stage.
Putin said India-Russia relations were developing in the spirit of a “special and privileged strategic partnership”, with the two countries cooperating across various areas and working together through platforms including the United Nations, SCO and BRICS. He expressed confidence that continued cooperation would further strengthen bilateral ties and contribute to international security and stability.
Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov also greeted Indians on Independence Day and said Russia’s support for India’s development journey would remain steadfast.
Neighbours reaffirm close ties
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu conveyed his greetings to President Murmu, PM Modi and the people of India, describing the eight decades since independence as a reflection of India’s aspirations, resilience and enduring spirit.
Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives government’s commitment to advancing the close partnership between the two countries based on mutual respect, shared prosperity and enduring friendship.
Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah also extended greetings to PM Modi and the people of India, expressing hope that the historical ties, people-to-people relations and cooperation between India and Nepal would continue to deepen.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay conveyed his wishes to PM Modi and the Indian people and said he hoped the friendship between the two countries would continue to flourish.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, extended greetings to India and paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during India’s freedom struggle. The Bangladesh High Commission in India said the occasion represented “Friendship, Harmony and Prosperity”.
US calls relationship with India ‘stronger than ever’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated India on its Independence Day and described the India-US relationship as “stronger than ever”, attributing part of the momentum to the personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and PM Modi.
Rubio identified defence, energy security, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, space cooperation and commerce as key areas of bilateral engagement. He also underlined the importance of people-to-people ties between the two countries.
“The deep ties of friendship and family between our two peoples form the foundation of a partnership that is innovative, resilient, and forward-looking,” Rubio said.
He added that Washington looked forward to the future that India and the US would build together.
Australia hails India’s scale of achievements
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described India as the world’s largest democracy and fastest-growing major economy, saying the country “fills us with awe” because of the scale of its achievements and the vastness of its potential.
Albanese highlighted the contribution of the Indian-Australian community to bilateral relations and said the two countries’ economic and strategic partnerships had never been more consequential.
Recalling PM Modi’s recent visit to Australia, Albanese said Canberra was looking to deepen cooperation with New Delhi in new and emerging areas, supported by the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also highlighted the “robust and forward-looking” Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Singapore and India. He pointed to expanding cooperation in skills development, digitalisation, sustainability and advanced manufacturing, as well as collaboration on regional integration, trade, the digital economy and energy security.
Israel, Sri Lanka and other partners praise India’s transformation
Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated President Murmu, PM Modi and the Indian people, expressing hope that the “beautiful friendship” between Israel and India would continue to strengthen. He also shared his message in Hindi.
Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar described India’s Independence Day as the “national revival of Bharat”, highlighting the shared importance of ancient heritage, freedom and innovation between India and Israel.
The two countries have expanded cooperation in areas including emerging technologies, cyber, agriculture, water management, health, entrepreneurship, defence and security.
Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India MahishiniColonne praised India’s transformation, diversity and civilisational heritage, while underlining the deep historical and cultural links between the two countries.
Argentina’s Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino said Argentina joined the Indian people and government in celebrating the country’s achievements since independence and pledged to continue strengthening bilateral friendship.
Canada’s High Commission in India highlighted the growing economic relationship between the two countries and said stronger people-to-people ties and cooperation could open new avenues for innovation, resilient supply chains and shared prosperity.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre also conveyed greetings and expressed hope for stronger friendship and cooperation between Taiwan and India.
India’s global presence highlighted
Foreign missions and diplomats across the world also marked the occasion. Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to India Nick McCaffrey shared Independence Day greetings, while the Nepal Embassy in India expressed hope that the enduring bonds of friendship, goodwill and cooperation between the two countries would continue to grow.
The French Embassy in India marked the occasion by highlighting the lasting impression India leaves on those who live and work in the country.
The Indian diplomatic mission in Dhaka also celebrated Independence Day through the Har GharTiranga initiative and called for the continuation of the SuryapathTiranga relay, under which the national flag travels across time zones following the path of the rising sun.
The wide-ranging messages from world leaders and diplomatic missions underscored India’s growing international partnerships and its increasingly prominent role in global economic, technological, strategic and regional affairs.
PM Modi thanks world leaders for greetings on India’s 80th Independence Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed his gratitude to world leaders for their warm greetings on India’s 80th Independence Day, acknowledging congratulatory messages from leaders and public figures across the world.
Responding to Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on X, PM Modi said, “Thank you Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay for your warm wishes. We deeply cherish our special and enduring partnership with Bhutan, which continues to go from strength to strength.”
The Prime Minister also thanked Slovak President Peter Pellegrini for his greetings.
PM Modi said, “Thank you President Pellegrini for your warm wishes. We look forward to further strengthening the Comprehensive Partnership between India and Slovakia.”
Responding to Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, PM Modi said, “Thank you, President Muizzu, for your warm wishes. May the bonds of friendship between India and the Maldives continue to grow stronger.”
PM Modi also thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his Independence Day greetings, responding warmly, “Thank you for your warm wishes my friend!”
The Prime Minister conveyed his gratitude to Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah, stressing the importance of strengthening India-Nepal ties.
“Thank you Prime Minister Balendra Shah for your warm greetings. We are committed to working together to further strengthen the multifaceted and age-old civilizational ties between India and Nepal for the mutual prosperity and well-being of the people of our nations,” Modi said.
PM Modi also acknowledged chairman of Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Rabi Lamichhane for his greetings, saying India remained committed to strengthening the deep bonds of friendship between the two countries for mutual progress and prosperity.
The messages came as India celebrated its 80th Independence Day, with greetings from leaders and dignitaries around the world underscoring India’s close diplomatic and people-to-people ties with partner countries.
