India’s 80th Independence Day was celebrated across the world on Saturday, with Indian missions, the diaspora and partner countries organising flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural events and diplomatic gestures to mark the occasion.
From flag-hoisting ceremonies across Asia to landmarks illuminated in the colours of the Indian Tricolour in South America, Indian missions and communities joined the celebrations.
The Embassy of India in the US extended greetings on the occasion and highlighted India’s democratic values, diverse heritage and the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
“Today, we celebrate 80 years of India’s journey–a tribute to our democratic values, diverse heritage, and the global spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’ We join the Indian diaspora across the United States in marking this historic day with pride and joy,” the Embassy said in a post on X.
The Consulate General of India in New York expressed gratitude to Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont for designating August 15, 2026, as “India Day” and recognising the contributions of the Indian-American community to the state.
The Consulate also thanked Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for his Independence Day greetings and acknowledgement of the Indian-American community’s contribution to the state’s diversity, culture and prosperity.
Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in Seattle thanked Washington Governor Bob Ferguson for his greetings and for recognising the Indian-American community’s contributions to the state’s culture and economy.
In Central America, the Embassy of India in Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica highlighted the participation of its officials in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, urging people to hoist the National Flag and commemorate the spirit of ‘Vande Mataram’.
At the Embassy of India in Japan, Ambassador Nagma Mallick hoisted the National Flag and read out President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation. The ceremony also featured the felicitation of winners of the ‘Bharat Ko Jaaniye’ quiz organised to mark Independence Day.
In a gesture of friendship, the Government of Buenos Aires illuminated four iconic landmarks — Floralis Generica, Puente de la Mujer, Planetario Galileo Galilei and Palacio Lezama — in saffron, white and green, the colours of the Indian Tricolour.
Ambassador Ajaneesh Kumar and the Indian mission expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as a reflection of the enduring partnership between India and Argentina.
The Embassy of Iran in India also extended greetings to the Government and people of India, highlighting the longstanding civilisational, cultural and historical ties between the two countries.
The Embassy of India in Oslo extended warm greetings to Indians on the occasion, calling for the celebration of the spirit of freedom, unity and progress while remembering the sacrifices and achievements of the past.
As part of the global ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, Indian missions across Asia also participated in the ‘Suryapath Tiranga’ initiative, a synchronised sunrise relay of the National Flag.
The initiative saw the Tricolour being ceremonially carried from one mission to another across time zones, symbolically following the path of the rising sun.
Indian missions in countries including South Korea, China, Bhutan and Indonesia shared messages marking the relay and handed over the initiative to the next mission to continue the journey.
Meanwhile, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam extended greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and the people of India on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.
In a letter, he highlighted the “robust and forward-looking Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” between Singapore and India and said cooperation between the two countries was expanding into areas including skills development, digitalisation, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag at the Red Fort as part of the 80th Independence Day celebrations.
The flag hoisting was synchronised with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), which used indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns. The ceremonial battery was commanded by Major Pawan Singh Shekhawat, while Naib Subedar (Assistant Instructor in Gunnery) Anuthosh Sarkar served as the Gun Position Officer.
-ANI
