Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated India on '75 years of diplomatic relations' with Washington. AFP
Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated India on '75 years of diplomatic relations' with Washington. AFP
Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated India on '75 years of diplomatic relations' with Washington. AFP
Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated India on '75 years of diplomatic relations' with Washington. AFP

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Antony Blinken marks India's 75th Independence Day

US Secretary of State joins world in congratulating India and Pakistan on anniversary of independence from British colonial rule

Ellie Sennett
Ellie Sennett
Washington

August 15, 2022

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reflected on "the democratic values" the US shares with India as the South Asian country marked its 75th Independence Day.

"On behalf of the United States of America, I extend our warmest wishes to the people of India as they celebrate 75 years of independence," he said.

"This year is especially meaningful for our two nations as we celebrate a milestone: 75 years of diplomatic relations. Our strategic partnership touches everything from climate to trade to our vibrant people-to-people ties."

A number of US representatives from both political parties, including senators Todd Young of Indiana and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, also offered their congratulations, further demonstrating the strong ties between Washington and New Delhi.

American business leaders, such as the president and chief executive of Walmart Doug McMillon, also sent warm messages.

The anniversary also marks the start of the bloody partition between India and Pakistan. The British-drawn border between the two nations provoked the largest mass migration in history outside of famine, leading to a war that displaced up to 15 million people.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged increased development in his Monday Independence Day speech, and mourned the lives lost fighting for it.

“During our freedom struggle, there was not one year when our freedom fighters did not face brutality and cruelty,” Mr Modi said.

"Today is the day when, as we pay them our respects, we need to remember their vision and dream for India.”

Narindra Singh Pujji, 93, clearly remembers his days as a college student in Pakistan. He left Lahore days before the land was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Victor Besa / The National
Narindra Singh Pujji, 93, clearly remembers his days as a college student in Pakistan. He left Lahore days before the land was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Victor Besa / The National
UAE residents, clockwise from top left, Narindra Singh Pujji, Vinay Varma, Muljimal Chachara and Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha, alongside photographs of them when they were young. All four witnessed the turmoil the 1947 India-Pakistan partition. Khushnum Bhandari and Victor Besa / The National
UAE residents, clockwise from top left, Narindra Singh Pujji, Vinay Varma, Muljimal Chachara and Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha, alongside photographs of them when they were young. All four witnessed the turmoil the 1947 India-Pakistan partition. Khushnum Bhandari and Victor Besa / The National
Three generations of Pujjis in Dubai: Narindra Singh Pujji with his grandson Kabir, left, daughter-in-law Ekta and son Mandeep. Victor Besa / The National
Three generations of Pujjis in Dubai: Narindra Singh Pujji with his grandson Kabir, left, daughter-in-law Ekta and son Mandeep. Victor Besa / The National
A photograph of Narindra Singh Pujji as he is now, alongside early pictures of him. Victor Besa / The National
A photograph of Narindra Singh Pujji as he is now, alongside early pictures of him. Victor Besa / The National
Photographs of Narindra Singh Pujji decorate a wall in his Dubai home, looking back at his days as a student in Pakistan and Delhi in the 1940s. Victor Besa / The National
Photographs of Narindra Singh Pujji decorate a wall in his Dubai home, looking back at his days as a student in Pakistan and Delhi in the 1940s. Victor Besa / The National
Narindra Singh Pujji's parents, Teja Singh Pujji and Gunwant Kaur, in Lyallpur, now Faisalabad, in Pakistan. Victor Besa / The National
Narindra Singh Pujji's parents, Teja Singh Pujji and Gunwant Kaur, in Lyallpur, now Faisalabad, in Pakistan. Victor Besa / The National
Narindra Singh Pujji's father Teja Singh Pujji, standing, back left, grandfather, seated, left, and great grandfather, seated, second left, with relatives at a family gathering in present-day Pakistan. Victor Besa / The National
Narindra Singh Pujji's father Teja Singh Pujji, standing, back left, grandfather, seated, left, and great grandfather, seated, second left, with relatives at a family gathering in present-day Pakistan. Victor Besa / The National
Narindra Singh Pujji shows his college identity card from Forman Christian College – better known as FC College – in Lahore, where he studied before leaving Pakistan for India in 1947. Victor Besa / The National
Narindra Singh Pujji shows his college identity card from Forman Christian College – better known as FC College – in Lahore, where he studied before leaving Pakistan for India in 1947. Victor Besa / The National
Narindra Singh Pujji, centre, at age 12 with his family. Victor Besa / The National
Narindra Singh Pujji, centre, at age 12 with his family. Victor Besa / The National
Three generations of Pasha women: Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha, centre, with her daughter Dua Sultan Pasha, left, and granddaughter Aisha Shahzad Ahmed, at their Abu Dhabi home. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Three generations of Pasha women: Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha, centre, with her daughter Dua Sultan Pasha, left, and granddaughter Aisha Shahzad Ahmed, at their Abu Dhabi home. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha says the 1947 partition left a deep impact on families. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha says the 1947 partition left a deep impact on families. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha shows a photograph of her with husband with Mohammed Sultan Pasha on their wedding day in Karachi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha shows a photograph of her with husband with Mohammed Sultan Pasha on their wedding day in Karachi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha pictured with her younger brothers and sisters in Karachi.
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha pictured with her younger brothers and sisters in Karachi.
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha in medical school in Karachi in the 1960s.
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha in medical school in Karachi in the 1960s.
A photograph of Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha as a young woman in Karachi, on display at the family home. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A photograph of Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha as a young woman in Karachi, on display at the family home. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha holds an photograph of her working as a gynecologist in Karachi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Dr Rafeeya Sultan Pasha holds an photograph of her working as a gynecologist in Karachi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Muljimal Chachara, 84, fled Karachi for India with his family as they were preparing his sister's wedding. Victor Besa / The National
Muljimal Chachara, 84, fled Karachi for India with his family as they were preparing his sister's wedding. Victor Besa / The National
Muljimal Chachara with a photograph of him taken at the old Dubai airport. Victor Besa / The National
Muljimal Chachara with a photograph of him taken at the old Dubai airport. Victor Besa / The National
Muljimal Chachara has no personal photographs of his childhood in Pakistan. This image shows the Bhatia community to which he belongs, with the names of relatives written below. Victor Besa / The National
Muljimal Chachara has no personal photographs of his childhood in Pakistan. This image shows the Bhatia community to which he belongs, with the names of relatives written below. Victor Besa / The National
Muljimal Chachara's son unearthed photographs of the Bhatia community in Pakistan, taken in Karachi in the 1930s. Victor Besa / The National
Muljimal Chachara's son unearthed photographs of the Bhatia community in Pakistan, taken in Karachi in the 1930s. Victor Besa / The National
Vinay Varma, 76, has set up a number of successful restaurants in the UAE. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Vinay Varma, 76, has set up a number of successful restaurants in the UAE. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Vinay Varma points to a photograph of him as a small child in his mother's arms, in Rawalpindi, before the 1947 partition. The album page contains other family photographs from the 1940s. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Vinay Varma points to a photograph of him as a small child in his mother's arms, in Rawalpindi, before the 1947 partition. The album page contains other family photographs from the 1940s. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A close-up of the photograph of Vinay Varma with his mother in Rawalpindi, where the family lived before the partition. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A close-up of the photograph of Vinay Varma with his mother in Rawalpindi, where the family lived before the partition. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Vinay Varma speaks of warmth between the people of India and Pakistan. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Vinay Varma speaks of warmth between the people of India and Pakistan. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Mr Blinken also extended his congratulations to Pakistan, which celebrated its Independence Day a day before India, on Sunday.

"We enjoy robust co-operation in many sectors, from the tens of thousands of Pakistani exchange students who have come to the United States to the 77 million Covid-19 vaccine doses we have committed to Pakistan through Covax," he said.

Hundreds of Indians gathered at the embassy in Abu Dhabi to take part in the India Independence Day festivities. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
Hundreds of Indians gathered at the embassy in Abu Dhabi to take part in the India Independence Day festivities. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
Sunjay Sudhir, India’s ambassador to the UAE.
Sunjay Sudhir, India’s ambassador to the UAE.
A young performer took to the stage in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the day.
A young performer took to the stage in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the day.
An array of artwork was on display to celebrate India's identity.
An array of artwork was on display to celebrate India's identity.
A dance performer gets ready to wow the crowds in Abu Dhabi.
A dance performer gets ready to wow the crowds in Abu Dhabi.
Indian artist Anjini Prakash.
Indian artist Anjini Prakash.
School pupils were a big part of the celebration to mark India's Independence Day.
School pupils were a big part of the celebration to mark India's Independence Day.
Indian residents take a selfie with artist Ahmed Al Awadhi.
Indian residents take a selfie with artist Ahmed Al Awadhi.
A dance performer takes to the stage at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
A dance performer takes to the stage at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Left to right: Micah Dsouza, 12, Zoe Dsouza, 15 and Eva Dsouza, 11 show off the artwork they created to celebrate the day.
Left to right: Micah Dsouza, 12, Zoe Dsouza, 15 and Eva Dsouza, 11 show off the artwork they created to celebrate the day.
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