New Delhi, 16 August (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed gratitude to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several other world leaders for their greetings on India’s 80th Independence Day, while emphasising New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnerships and longstanding ties with friendly nations.

Responding to Netanyahu’s message, PM Modi said India deeply values its friendship with Israel and expressed hope that the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership would become even stronger. He said closer cooperation could create new opportunities and deepen people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Netanyahu had congratulated India and PM Modi on the occasion, describing the two countries as ancient civilisations that had achieved independence a year apart and were working together towards a better future for their people. He also highlighted the strong relationship between the two countries and expressed optimism about its further growth.

PM Modi also thanked Israeli President Isaac Herzog for his Independence Day greetings. Herzog had expressed hope that the close friendship between India and Israel would continue to strengthen.

The prime minister conveyed his appreciation to French President Emmanuel Macron for his warm wishes as well.

Greetings also came from neighbouring countries, including Bhutan and Nepal. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay extended his wishes to PM Modi and described him as an “elder brother”, expressing hope that the close relationship between the two countries would continue to flourish.

In response,PM Modi said India deeply cherishes its special and enduring partnership with Bhutan and is committed to taking the relationship to greater heights.

Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah also extended heartfelt greetings to Modi, highlighting the deep historical ties, close people-to-people connections and longstanding cooperation between India and Nepal.

Thanking Shah, Modi said India remained committed to working with Nepal to further strengthen their multifaceted and centuries-old civilisational ties for the prosperity and well-being of both countries.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu also greeted President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi, the Indian government and the people of India on Independence Day. He reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to advancing the close partnership between the two countries based on mutual respect, shared prosperity and enduring friendship.

PM Modi thanked Muizzu for his greetings and expressed hope that the bonds of friendship between India and the Maldives would continue to grow stronger.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides also conveyed his greetings, describing the India-Cyprus relationship as a strategic partnership based on shared principles and common interests. He expressed his country’s commitment to further broadening and deepening bilateral cooperation.

PM Modi thanked Christodoulides and said India looked forward to working with Cyprus to strengthen their close and extensive strategic partnership.

The messages from the foreign leaders came a day after Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, outlining his government’s priorities for India’s development, self-reliance, technological advancement and stronger global engagement.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar