US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday extended warm wishes to the people of India on the country’s 80th Independence Day, saying the relationship between New Delhi and Washington was growing stronger. Rubio credited the personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the continued growth in bilateral ties.“On behalf of the United States of America, I extend warm congratulations to the people of India on their Independence Day. Thanks to the personal relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi, the U.S.-India relationship continues to grow and is stronger than ever. From defence and energy security to critical minerals, artificial intelligence, space cooperation, and commerce, our collaboration is making both of our nations, and the broader Indian Ocean region, safer, stronger, and more prosperous...”Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov also extended greetings to India, expressing confidence in the country’s continued development and reaffirming Moscow’s support for New Delhi.“Dear friends, Happy Independence Day! Looking at India’s predetermined path of development, there is no doubt that all your dreams will come true,” Alipov said in a post on X.“As you walk the path of progress, rest assured that Russia’s support remains the same today as it was a hundred years ago, and it will remain so tomorrow,” he added.Concluding his message, the Russian envoy said, “Jai Hind. Long live India-Russia friendship.”The messages came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in Delhi, with this year’s ceremony marking 150 years of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ and focusing on the role of ‘Yuva Shakti’ in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.For the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ was rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. Modi hoisted the National Flag from the ramparts, with Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan assisting him. The flag hoisting was synchronised with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns.Following the Rashtriya Salute, the Army band played ‘Vande Mataram’, which was sung by those present at the Red Fort before the National Anthem. Two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters also showered flower petals over the venue, with one carrying the National Flag and the other a flag depicting ‘Vande Mataram’.Modi subsequently addressed the nation, marking his 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. Around 2,500 cadets from the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with ‘My Bharat’ volunteers, participated in the celebrations, forming the words ‘Vande Mataram’ along Gyanpath.
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Around 5,000 special guests from different walks of life were invited to the ceremony, including women entrepreneurs, sanitation workers, street vendors, youth innovators, scientists, farmers, students and start-up founders. More than 1,500 people from different states and Union Territories also attended in traditional attire.Across the country, patriotic band performances were held at 343 prominent locations, while flag-hoisting ceremonies were also organised by the Indian Navy and local administrations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
