New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day at the Queens India Day Parade in Floral Park, becoming the city’s first Indian American mayor to attend the annual event.
Mamdani, who took office in January, returned to the Floral Park-Bellerose community for the Independence Day festivities, describing the occasion as an unforgettable moment in his tenure as mayor. His participation carried particular significance as the son of Indian immigrants and the first Indian American to lead New York City.
“Today, I was back in Floral Park for the Queens India Day Parade — this time as the first Indian American mayor of New York City,” Mamdani wrote on social media. “It was an experience I will never forget.”
Invoking former Mayor David Dinkins’ celebrated description of New York as a “gorgeous mosaic,” Mamdani highlighted the religious and cultural diversity of the Indian diaspora and its contribution to the city.
“Today, I saw that mosaic in the Hindus and Christians, Muslims and Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs across the Indian diaspora who have helped make our city what it is,” he wrote, adding: “To all of them, I say: it is an honor to do that work alongside you.”
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He concluded his message with wishes for a “Happy Indian Independence Day.”
The Queens parade was among a series of events across the New York metropolitan area celebrating the 80th anniversary of India’s independence. The Empire State Building was illuminated in the colors of the Indian tricolor — saffron, white and green — on the eve of Independence Day.
On Saturday, thousands gathered in Times Square for a flag-hoisting ceremony organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in association with the Consulate General of India in New York. The celebration featured cultural performances and an appearance by an all-women police pipe band from Gujarat, as crowds waved Indian flags and joined in patriotic celebrations.
The commemorations were accompanied by official recognition from state and local governments. New York Governor Kathy Hochul proclaimed August 15, 2026, as “India Independence Day,” recognizing India’s independence and the contributions of Indian Americans to the state. The governor’s proclamation followed resolutions adopted by the New York State Legislature calling for the designation and highlighting the Indian American community’s contributions to the state’s cultural, civic and economic life.
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New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill likewise proclaimed August 15 as “India Independence Day,” recognizing the milestone anniversary and the contributions of the Indian American community to the Garden State. The New York and New Jersey proclamations underscored the cultural and economic ties between India and the United States and the growing role of the Indian diaspora in both states.
Similar official recognition came from elsewhere in the country. Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued proclamations designating August 15 as “India Day,” joining the broader commemoration of India’s Independence Day and the contributions of Indian Americans.