Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Indians celebrate 80th Independence Day globally with cultural events
India just turned 80 years old as a free country, and Indians living all over the world threw big celebrations.
People raised the Indian flag, sang patriotic songs like 'Vande Mataram', and enjoyed dances, music and time with family and friends.
A special plan called 'Suryapath Tiranga' meant the flag was raised at Indian offices around the world as the sun moved across time zones, starting in the country of Fiji and ending in the city of San Francisco.
In New Zealand, more than 500 people gathered and sang the national anthem together.
In Russia, people placed flowers at a statue of Mahatma Gandhi before singing the national song.
In Germany, musicians played a mix of Indian classical music and other styles.
Leaders from many countries, including France, Russia, the United States and Australia, sent friendly messages to India.
The leader of Australia said India had grown 'from strength to strength' over its 80 years.
Everyone came together with flags, songs and smiles to celebrate India and its friendships around the world.
Indians around the world marked the country's 80th Independence Day on Saturday with flag-hoisting ceremonies, renditions of the national anthem and 'Vande Mataram', cultural performances and community gatherings.
Under the 'Suryapath Tiranga' initiative, part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, the Indian Tricolour was hoisted successively at Indian missions across time zones, beginning in Fiji and scheduled to culminate in San Francisco.
Diaspora celebrations were held in New Zealand, Russia, China, Japan, Germany, the Gulf, Geneva and parts of the United States, with more than 500 people attending events in Wellington and Geneva and proclamations marking the day across US states.
International partners, including France's Emmanuel Macron, Russia's Vladimir Putin, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Australia's Anthony Albanese, extended greetings, with Rubio citing the personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Modi and messages also arriving from the Maldives, Israel, Singapore, Nepal and Bhutan.
Putin said Russia-India relations were developing in the spirit of a 'particularly privileged strategic partnership', with close coordination within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS.
- Who
- Indian diaspora communities, Indian mission officials, students and 'friends of India' worldwide, along with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and international leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Vladimir Putin, Marco Rubio, Anthony Albanese and leaders of the Maldives, Israel, Singapore, Nepal and Bhutan
- What
- Global celebrations of India's 80th Independence Day, featuring flag hoisting, patriotic songs such as 'Vande Mataram', cultural performances, community gatherings and greetings from international partners
- When
- Saturday, August 15
- Where
- Across the world, from Fiji and the Pacific through Asia, Europe, the Gulf and the Americas to San Francisco, at Indian missions in New Zealand, Russia, China, Japan, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Geneva and parts of the United States
- Why
- To mark the 80th anniversary of India's independence, celebrating 'pride, unity and the spirit of a billion dreams' and reaffirming India's ties with partner nations
- Event
- 80th Independence Day of India
- Date
- Saturday, August 15
- Suryapath Tiranga start point
- Fiji
- Suryapath Tiranga culmination
- San Francisco
- Campaign
- Har Ghar Tiranga
- Attendees in Wellington
- More than 500 diaspora members and local friends
- Attendees in Geneva
- More than 500 diaspora members and friends of India
- 'Vande Mataram' milestone
- 150 years