President Sheikh Mohamed sends congratulations on Indian Independence Day

Celebrations being held in India and around the world in honour of occasion

President Sheikh Mohamed sent a message of congratulations to mark India's Independence Day. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed on Friday offered his congratulations as Indians around the world celebrate their nation's Independence Day.

The UAE leader sent a message of goodwill to India's President Droupadi Murmu in honour of the occasion.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also extended their best wishes in similar messages to the Indian President.

Indian Independence Day is observed on August 15 each year, commemorating the date in 1947 on which the country confirmed its separation from years of British rule.

The UAE is home to about four million Indian citizens, the largest expatriate community in the country.

The two countries enjoy long-standing ties dating back to the formation of the Emirates in 1971 which continue to flourish.

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  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the Red Fort in New Delhi, as the country marks its 79th Independence Day. EPA

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  West Bengal state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, centre, inspects a guard of honor during Independence Day celebrations in Kolkata. AP

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  Police commandos from India's Assam state put on a display during Independence Day celebrations, in Guwahati. AP

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  Indian Border Security Force soldiers take part in the beating the retreat ceremony on the eve of Independence Day celebrations, at the Attari-Wagah border post between India and Pakistan, in Punjab state. AFP

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  Indians and Pakistanis gather to watch the beating the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border. AFP

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  Indian Border Security Force personnel perform during the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border between Pakistan and India, on the eve of India's Independence Day on July 15. AFP

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  Indians gather to watch the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border between Pakistan and India, on the eve of Independence Day. AFP

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  India Gate is illuminated with the colours of the national flag, on the eve of Independence Day in New Delhi. AFP

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  An Indian schoolgirl eats noodles and her brother carries an Indian flag as they return from school after an Independence Day celebration in New Delhi. AP

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  A college student paints her face in the colours of the Indian national flag on the eve of Independence Day in Chennai. AFP

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  A monkey plays with the Indian national flag placed along a road on the eve of the country's Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi. AFP

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  The Red Fort adorned with colourful flags on the eve of India's Independence Day celebrations in the old quarters of Delhi. AFP

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  Indian schoolchildren carry their national flags on the eve of Independence Day at the Red Fort in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation on July 15. AP

The UAE signed its first Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India in 2022, pushing bilateral trade between the two countries to more than $85 billion.

This made India the largest trading partner of the UAE and made the UAE India's third-largest trading partner.

The country’s first hand-carved traditional stone and marble temple, the Baps Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, opened in February 2024, serving as a symbol of interfaith harmony and the enduring friendship between the Emirates and India.

It was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of its public launch.

This February, the UAE hosted a three-day conference called Indiaspora Forum for Good in Abu Dhabi to honour the immense contribution made by Indians who call the Emirates home.