Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, at the 80th Independence Day in St. George Fort. File
| Photo Credit: Srinath. M

During the Independence Day celebrations at the police parade grounds in Ongole on August 15, 2026, Social Welfare Minister Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, along with the MP, MLAs and Collector, viewed the display of the world-famous Ongole breed bulls, learnt about their characteristics and posed for photographs with them.
| Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

India’s global partners, including France, Russia and Australia, on Saturday (August 15, 2026) extended greetings to the country on its 80^th Independence Day, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and regional cooperation.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu were among leaders who hailed ties with India on the occasion.

Mr. Macron took to X to extend his greetings. “Congratulations to the Indian people on your 80th Independence Day!” he said.

Mr. Putin extended greetings to President Droupadi Murmu as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing confidence that the constructive bilateral partnership will help enhance international security and stability.

The Russian President said Russia-India relations are developing successfully in the spirit of a “particularly privileged strategic partnership”.

He pointed out that Moscow and New Delhi are engaged in “fruitful cooperation” across a wide range of areas and coordinate closely within the framework of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS, and other multilateral institutions.

“I am confident that, through our joint efforts, we will continue to comprehensively strengthen the constructive Russia-India partnership for the benefit of our friendly peoples and in the interests of enhancing international security and stability,” the Russian President said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also conveyed his greetings on the occasion, asserting that India has gone “from strength to strength” in the eight decades since its independence.

In a statement, Mr. Albanese said that India, as the world’s largest democracy and fastest-growing major economy, “fills us with awe at the scale of its achievements and the vastness of its potential”.

He recalled his Mr. Modi’s recent visit to Australia, where he told the Prime Minister, “Our relationship has never been more consequential”.

“We are excited to further deepen Australia and India’s engagement in new and growing areas with the support of the many Australians of Indian heritage who are the living bridge in our valued friendship. I join you in celebrating India’s history and culture, rich diversity and extraordinary achievements – and in celebrating the promise our shared future holds,” he said.

In his greeting, Maldivian leader Mr. Muizzu reiterated the archipelago’s commitment to enhance bilateral ties with India. “Eight decades of Independence reflect the aspirations, resilience and enduring spirit of the Government and people of India.

“On this auspicious occasion, I reaffirm the commitment of the Government of Maldives to further advance our close partnership built upon mutual respect, shared prosperity and enduring friendship between our two peoples,” he said on X.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also wished India’s top leadership and the “wonderful people” of the country on Independence Day. “May we continue to strengthen the beautiful friendship between Israel and India,” he said in a social media post.

In a letter to President Murmu, her Singaporean counterpart Tharman Shanmugaratnam congratulated her and the people of India on the occasion, asserting that both countries share an “enduring interest in a peaceful, open, and connected region”.

The city-state will continue working closely with India, as 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, he said.

Calling the Singapore-India ties “multifaceted”, he said the two nations also share a robust and forward-looking Comprehensive Strategic Partnership underpinned 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.

On the occasion, Nepal Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ 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,” Mr. Shah said, according to a social media post by his office.

Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also wished 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.” “May the enduring friendship and close ties between Bhutan and India continue to flourish.”

In his message, former Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih called India’s journey since 1947 an “inspiration to developing countries”. “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.

Earlier on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also extended his greetings and asserted that the bilateral ties were stronger than ever due to the personal relationship between President Donald Trump and Mr. Modi.

In a statement, Mr. 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,” Mr. Rubio said, adding that bilateral collaboration is making both nations, and the broader Indian Ocean region, safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Published – August 15, 2026 09:27 pm IST

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said India’s constitutional values, democratic institutions and social harmony have faced “serious challenges” over the last 10 years, as he called for full measure of equality and justice for the economically-weaker sections.

In his message to people on India’s 80th Independence Day, Mr. Kharge said the country has travelled a long way, but many aspirations still remain unfulfilled.