From Afghanistan to South Sudan, Indian Community And Missions Celebrate Republic day

New Delhi: One of the first countries to celebrate India’s Republic day was New Zealand with High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli unfurling the national flag.

South Asia: Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh

In South Asia, Indian missions and community celebrated India’s republic day with full enthusiasm. In Bhutan, the National Flag was unfurled by Ambassador Jaideep Sarkar. Dasho Ugyen K. Namgyel, Gyalpoi Zimpon to Bhutanese King, presented a scarf to the Ambassador on behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan. Zimpon along with the Cabinet Secretary, Foreign Secretary and the Chief of Protocol represented Royal Government of Bhutan in the ceremony.Over 500 members of the Indian community were present at the ceremony.

In Myanmar, Indian Ambassador Saurabh Kumar unfurled national flag at Embassy of India, Yangon while in Dhaka Acting High Commissioner Dr Adarsh Swaika unfurled the national flag at the Indian High Commission.

Afghanistan: Indian tricolour at Kabul, Herat 

Indian ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar unfurled the flag at the Indian embassy in Kabul. New Delhi is playing a vital role in the country and is a leading development partner. There have been a number of engagements between Afghan and Indian govt in Jan 2019 itself. EAM Sushma met the Afghan foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani and Afghan NSA Hamdullah Mohib visited New Delhi.

In Herat, the Indian flag was unfurled by Indian Consul General Kumar Gaurav. Herat is the same province in which India Afghanistan friendship dam is located. Indian PM Modi has been to Herat in 2016 to inaugurate the dam built by New Delhi’s help. India is also building a number of schools in the western Afghan province.

Pakistan: Indian High Commissioner hopes for better ties with Islamabad

Republic day was celebrated with full enthusiasm at the Indian mission in Islamabad. High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria unfurled the tricolour and read Rashtrapati Kovind’s message. Speaking to WION correspondent Anas Mallick in Islamabad, Indian high commissioner Ajay Bisaria said, “we are celebrating the 70th Republic day.It is also a special moment because we also celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This has a special resonance in Islamabad because of common history and common legacy and we hope 2019 is going to be a positive year and a breakthrough year for India-Pakistan relationship, there are many challenges and we need to work hard to get there.”

Sri Lanka: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan concert

In Sri Lanka, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s concert was organised to celebrate Indian Republic day. His sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash were also present. The day was celebrated at India House by Indian expatriate families and High Commission officials with Indian high commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu unfurling the national flag.

South Sudan: Indian troops under the UN Mandate celebrate Republic day

The Indian troops who are part of United Nations peacekeeping forces in South Sudan celebrated the Republic day at the Indian mission in capital Juba. The event began with the hoisting of the flag by the Indian Ambassador to South Sudan, S.D. Moorthy. Indian peacekeeping forces are part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). New Delhi has provided a battalion of 2400 defence personnel for the peacekeeping operations in South Sudan. The Indian troops are deployed at Juba, Jonglei and Upper Nile Regions.

With Love, from Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent his congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind and said, “India has achieved impressive success in socio-economic, scientific, technical and other spheres. Your country rightfully enjoys high authority in the international arena, actively participates in tackling pressing issues of the regional and global agenda.”

Talking about India-Russia ties, he said, “The relations between our countries are dynamically developing in the spirit of privileged strategic partnership. I am convinced that further advance of the entire gamut of Russian – Indian ties fully meets the interests of our friendly peoples and contributes to ensuring international stability and security.”

Moscow also saw celebrations. Indian amb to Russia D. B. Venkatesh Varma unfurled the flag in snow-covered Moscow.

Other Part Of The World

Indian Consul General in Jeddah Noor Rahman Sheikh hoisted the national flag. The Indian community was in full force to celebrate Republic day. Just last month, Minority Affairs Minister Mukthar Abbas Naqvi had visited Jeddah and signed the bilateral Hajj Agreement with the Saudi Minister of Hajj & Umrah Mohammed Saleh Benten for the year 2019.

Republic day was celebrated at Indian mission in Ukraine as ambassador Partha Satpathy unfurled the national flag. Republic day was also celebrated in far off countries like Estonia. Indian Ambassador to Finland and Estonia Vani Rao presided over the celebration in Estonia with Foreign Minister Sven Mikser as the chief guest.

(Written by Sidhant Sibal)