US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended warm greetings to the people of India on the occasion of the country’s 80th Independence Day, saying the India-US relationship continues to grow and is “stronger than ever”.
In a statement issued on Friday (local time), Rubio said the personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had contributed to the strengthening of ties between the two countries.
“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,” Rubio said.
Highlighting cooperation between the two countries, Rubio said India and the US are working together across areas including defence, energy security, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, space cooperation and commerce.
He said the collaboration was making both countries, as well as the broader Indian Ocean region, “safer, stronger, and more prosperous”.
“The deep ties of friendship and family between our two peoples form the foundation of a partnership that is innovative, resilient, and forward-looking. The United States looks forward to the future our two countries will build together,” Rubio added.
Meanwhile, India is celebrating its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lead the celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi.
This year’s celebrations will mark 150 years of the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ and highlight the role of ‘Yuva Shakti’ in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
For the first time, ‘Vande Mataram’ will be rendered during the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.
According to an official press release, Prime Minister Modi will be received at the Red Fort by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. He will then receive the Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police.
The Prime Minister will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort, where he will hoist the National Flag, with Captain Sonia Singh Chauhan assisting him.
The flag hoisting will be synchronised with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), using indigenous 105 mm Light Field Guns, the release stated.
Prime Minister Modi will then address the nation, marking his 13th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort.
At the conclusion of his speech, NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers will sing ‘Vande Mataram’, followed by the National Anthem.
A total of 2,500 boys and girls from the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with ‘My Bharat’ volunteers, will participate in the celebrations. They will be seated along Gyanpath and form the words ‘Vande Mataram’.
-ANI
