Ambassador Arun Singh unfurls national flag in Washington.
AB Wire
Follow @ambazaarmag
WASHINGTON, DC: Indian Ambassador to the United States Arun K. Singh unfurled the national flag and read out President Pranab Mukherjee’s Independence Day Address to the Nation at an event held at the Embassy Residence here to celebrate the nation’s 69th Independence Day.
More than 350 invited guests, mostly Indian Americans, attended the event, which also included a cultural program.
“On this historic day, we recall with reverence and respect the courage and sacrifices of our freedom fighters who paved the way for realization of a great nation which we all cherish today,†Singh said in a message. “India occupies a distinct place in the comity of nations by being the largest democracy that exemplifies unity in diversity and peaceful co-existence with a flourishing multi-cultural society. India is making great strides in various fields including economy, science & technology, education and in empowerment of its people.â€
The ambassador thanked Indian nationals living in the United States and the Indian American community “for their dynamic, substantial and continuous contribution to strengthening the relationship between the largest democracy and the oldest democracy.â€
He said the two nations are “enhancing their relationship not only at the bilateral level, but also at the regional and global levels.â€
Singh said that the “bilateral trade and investment, which are reaching new heights, are encouraging us to aspire for higher goals.†He added: “Our cooperation has deepened in the established sectors while new fields are continuously added to widen our relationship. People-to-people contact is one of the strongest pillars of this growing relationship.â€
Flag-hoisting ceremonies were also held in Indian consulates in Atlanta, Houston, and San Francisco, among other missions.