Ambassador of India, H.E. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, unfurled the tricolor in a celebration of India’s 74th Republic Day at India House in Washington D.C.

Ambassador Sandhu unfurls the Indian tricolor at India House, WAshington DC. (image credit: Press, Information & Culture Wing, Embassy of India , Washington DC)

Friends of India from the US Congress, business, media, students, and members of the Indian diaspora attended the event. India House screened a speech by Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, during the ceremony

In his address to guests, Ambassador Sandhu highlighted India’s Presidency of G20 and its participation in the Voice of the Global South Summit, earlier this month. He emphasized India’s role as an anchor in the global economy, and pointed out that India and the US mutually benefit from exchanges in clean energy, security, education, and technology.

Keynote speech by Ambassador Sandhu (image credit: Press, Information & Culture Wing, Embassy of India ,Washington DC)

Sandhu also noted that the Government of India had conferred the Padma Vibhushan, one of the highest civilian awards, to Mr. Srinivas Varadan, an Indian American Mathematician and a distinguished diaspora member.

Congressman Ro Khanna, Chair of the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans, recalled the sacrifices of his own family members during India’s freedom struggle, and pointed out that countries across the globe drew inspiration from India experience. He expressed happiness in seeing both India and Indian Americans thriving in the world.

Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Shri Thanedar with the Ambassador (image credit: Press, Information & Culture Wing, Embassy of India 
Washington DC)

Congressman Shri Thanedar highlighted that his election as the fifth Indian-origin Congressperson in the United States was a milestone for Indian Americans, and that he would work with his colleagues in the Congress to build a stronger Indo-U.S. relationship.

Following the ceremony, students of the Gandharva School of Music, Richmond, presented a cultural program of patriotic songs.

Singers from the Gandharva School of Music sing patriotic songs (image credit: Press, Information & Culture Wing, Embassy of India  Washington DC)