The US Department of State on Friday released a statement wishing India a happy 79th Independence Day. The statement highlighted the “strong ties” between the world’s largest and oldest democracies.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “On behalf of the United States, I extend our congratulations and warm wishes to the people of India as they celebrate their Independence Day on August 15.”

He added, “The historic relationship between the world’s largest democracy and the world’s oldest democracy is consequential and far-reaching. Our two countries are united by our shared vision for a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region.”

Rubio also noted that the partnership spans multiple sectors. “Our partnership spans industries, promotes innovation, pushes the boundaries of critical and emerging technologies, and extends into space,” he said.

He further emphasized cooperation to face global challenges. “Working together, the United States and India will rise to the modern challenges of today and ensure a brighter future for both our countries,” Rubio stated.

Economic Tensions Between India and the US

Relations between India and the US have faced pressure recently. The strain followed former President Trump’s announcement of nearly 50% tariffs on Indian goods. The White House argued the tariffs were in response to India buying Russian oil during the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Senior US officials accused India of indirectly supporting Russia.

Despite this, both countries continue to maintain strong defence ties.

Defence Partnership Remains Key

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the importance of defence relations in the bilateral partnership. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The India–US defence partnership, underpinned by foundational defence agreements, is an important pillar of the bilateral partnership.”

He added that cooperation has strengthened across multiple domains. Jaiswal noted, “We are expecting a US Defence Policy Team to be in Delhi in mid-August. The 21st edition of the joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ is also expected to take place later this month in Alaska. Both sides remain engaged to convene the 2+2 Intersessional meeting at the working level towards the end of this month.”

Human Rights Report and India’s Response

On the recent US State Department Human Rights report, Jaiswal strongly objected. He said the report included “a mix of imputations, misrepresentations and one-sided projections” and reflected “a poor understanding of India’s democratic framework, pluralistic society and robust institutional mechanisms for protecting human rights.”

Upcoming Diplomatic Developments

Regarding international engagements, Jaiswal noted that no decision has been made yet on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the United Nations General Assembly next month.