India's 80th Independence Day goes global with Suryapath Tiranga relay

Indian missions and diaspora groups marked India's 80th Independence Day across continents with flag-hoisting and cultural events. The Suryapath Tiranga relay and messages from world leaders underscored India's global reach and partnerships.

In Short

• Indian missions held flag-hoisting, songs and cultural events across continents
• The Suryapath Tiranga relay followed sunrise, linking missions through time zones
• Diaspora members and local well-wishers joined strongly in Wellington, Geneva and Beijing

Indians and 'friends of India' marked the country's 80th Independence Day across the world on Saturday, with celebrations held from the Pacific and East Asia to Europe, the Gulf and the Americas. Indian missions and diaspora groups organised flag-hoisting ceremonies, sang the national anthem and 'Vande Mataram', and held cultural programmes and community gatherings.

A key feature of the global observance was the 'Suryapath Tiranga' initiative, under which the Tricolour was hoisted in succession at Indian missions as the day moved across time zones, starting in Fiji and set to end in San Francisco. The initiative, part of the wider 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, aimed to create a shared celebration from one sunrise to the next, even as leaders including those of France, Russia and Australia sent greetings and reaffirmed ties with New Delhi.

In Wellington, more than 500 members of the Indian diaspora and local friends joined the celebrations, where High Commissioner Muanpuii Saiawi hoisted the Tricolour and read the President's address to the nation. The Indian embassy in New Zealand posted on X that people gathered to sing 'Vande Mataram' and the national anthem. Students and community members also joined the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' selfie campaign, while winners of painting, photography and other competitions were felicitated in several countries. In Tokyo, school students and members of the Indian community took part in patriotic songs honouring those who fought for India's independence, while the Indian mission said Japanese media carried special coverage of the occasion. In Beijing, Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami hoisted the Tricolour in the presence of members of the Indian community and 'friends of India', who braved the rain to attend, according to the embassy in China, which had also invited the diaspora to join the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign by hoisting the flag, taking selfies and sharing their celebrations.

In Moscow, the programme began with floral tributes at the Mahatma Gandhi statue and collective singing of 'Vande Mataram', attended by members of the Indian diaspora, 'friends of India' in Russia, embassy officials and their families. Cultural performances followed, along with a bike rally organised by the Indian community, the embassy in Russia said. In Berlin, the celebrations included a musical presentation by Sankalita Mandal on vocals, Kanishka Sarkar on keyboard, David Beck on guitar and Chandra Bahadur Sunar on sitar, drawing on Rabindrasangeet, Indian classical music and contemporary influences. The mission also highlighted a rendition of 'Vaishnava Jan To' by The Karthik Mani Project and a performance by a German jazz trio led by Jakob Manz at Berlin's Konzerthaus as part of Young Euro Classic 2026. In Rome, a cultural programme and a rendition of 'Vande Mataram' were among the highlights.

In the Gulf, community celebrations were also held. In Abu Dhabi, the embassy described the event as a celebration of 'pride, unity and the spirit of a billion dreams', with the Indian community taking part, while the Indian Islamic Centre organised a painting competition on India's spirit of independence and the vision of a developed India. In Riyadh, the embassy organised a cultural programme featuring a semi-classical dance on 'Vande Mataram', a group song by school students, patriotic poetry and a group dance paying tribute to the Dandi Salt March. The celebrations also marked 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', and certificates were given to performers and top scorers in the Independence Day special edition of the 'Bharat Ko Janiye' quiz organised by the Ministry of External Affairs. In Geneva, more than 500 members of the Indian diaspora and 'friends of India' attended celebrations at the Indian mission to the United Nations.

In the United States, Indian missions highlighted events involving local authorities and Indian-American communities. Across the Northeastern and Midwestern states, proclamations marked India's 80th Independence Day and recognised the contribution of the Indian-American community. Bergen County in New Jersey hosted celebrations bringing together members of the community, including young people and children. The Indian Embassy in Washington also thanked participants in a photography competition, saying each entry offered a personal view of India and reflected the participant's connection with the country.

The celebrations were accompanied by messages from India's international partners. French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated the Indian people on their 80th Independence Day in a message on X. Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the constructive bilateral partnership would help enhance international security and stability. He said Russia-India ties were progressing in the spirit of a 'particularly privileged strategic partnership' and that the two sides were engaged in 'fruitful cooperation' across many areas while coordinating closely at the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS and other multilateral institutions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had, on Friday, extended greetings to India and said bilateral ties were 'stronger than ever' because of the personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Modi. Rubio said the deep ties of friendship and family between the peoples of the two countries underpinned a partnership that was innovative, resilient and forward-looking, and that bilateral collaboration was making both countries, and the wider Indian Ocean region, safer, stronger and more prosperous.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said India had gone 'from strength to strength' in the eight decades since independence, and described it as the world's largest democracy and fastest-growing major economy whose achievements and potential filled Australia with awe. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said eight decades of independence reflected the aspirations, resilience and enduring spirit of the Indian government and people, and reaffirmed his country's commitment to advancing close ties with India based on mutual respect, shared prosperity and enduring friendship. Israeli President Isaac Herzog wished India's top leadership and the 'wonderful people' of the country on Independence Day and said he hoped the friendship between Israel and India would continue to strengthen. Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in a letter to President Murmu, said the two countries shared an 'enduring interest in a peaceful, open, and connected region'. Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah sent 'heartfelt greetings' to Modi and the people of India, expressing hope that historical ties, close people-to-people relations and cooperation would deepen further, while Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also conveyed his wishes.

Across the world, the 80th Independence Day celebrations brought together the Tricolour, patriotic songs, local cultural programmes and strong participation from the Indian diaspora and their friends, while messages from partner countries underlined continuing engagement with India.

With PTI Inputs

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