U.S. OFFERS BEST WISHES TO PEOPLE ON INDIA ON THEIR INDEPENDENCE DAY

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
India Independence Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
August 14, 2013

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send our best wishes to the people of the Republic of India as you celebrate your Independence Day on August 15.

During my recent visit to India, I was honored to witness firsthand the vibrancy of your culture, the energy of your youth, and the strength and resilience of your democratic institutions.

Together, our governments held their fourth annual U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, allowing each side to build partnerships on issues such as regional security and defense, science and technology, climate change, and women’s empowerment.

As you mark the 66th anniversary of your independence, the United States joins you in honoring Mahatma Gandhi and the heroes of India, who proved that great change can be achieved through nonviolent means.

Today the United States also takes pride in our indispensable partnership with India, a friendship built on our shared democratic values, the entrepreneurial spirit of our people, and our rich people-to-people ties.

I look forward to continuing our critical efforts to lay the foundations for peace, democracy, and prosperity in Asia and around the world.