
Indian missions in Riyadh, Jeddah celebrate Independence Day with patriotic fervor
Independence Day was celebrated by the embassy in Riyadh with the enthusiastic participation of about 1,000 people, including members of the Indian community, embassy officials, and journalists.
The celebrations began with the hoisting of the tricolour by Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, the ambassador, followed by the national anthem.
The ambassador lay floral tributes at the bust of father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, then read out President Droupadi Murmu's message to the nation and Indians around the world.
In his keynote address, the ambassador highlighted the close bilateral partnership between India and Saudi Arabia and the significant role played by the Indian diaspora in making this relationship vibrant and robust.
It was followed by cultural performances by Indian community members, displaying the rich diversity of India. The cultural program was an eclectic mix of patriotic songs and classical dance performances.
In the run-up to Independence Day, embassy officials, their families and Indian community members took part in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' initiative, displaying their patriotic spirit and pride in the national flag.
At the Indian Consulate in Jeddah the ceremony began with the hoisting of the national flag by Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri followed by the national anthem, with the consul general reading the president's address to the nation, which highlighted India's accomplishments over the past 78 years and outlined the country's vision.
The consul general highlighted the growing partnership with Saudi Arabia and commended the Indian diaspora in the Western Province for their pivotal role in fostering stronger ties and contributing positively to both countries.
He also provided updates on the consulate's key initiatives and urged the diaspora to continue their active engagement in advancing these efforts.
The celebration featured a cultural program including patriotic songs performed by students from Indian schools in Jeddah that evoked pride, unity, and respect for the county's history and cultural heritage.
A highlight of the event was the Tiranga Exhibition, organized as part of the government of India's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. The exhibition included historical images, creative displays, and information about the Indian national flag — promoting awareness, respect, and national pride among attendees.
The event concluded with a display of regional Indian cuisines, giving guests a flavourful glimpse into India's rich and diverse food heritage. Each dish, representing different states, highlighted the country's remarkable cultural diversity and unity.
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Arab News
11 hours ago
- Arab News
Indian missions in Riyadh, Jeddah celebrate Independence Day with patriotic fervor
RIYADH: The Embassy of India in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah celebrated India's 79th Independence Day on Friday with great enthusiasm and active participation from the Indian community, local dignitaries, and friends of India. Independence Day was celebrated by the embassy in Riyadh with the enthusiastic participation of about 1,000 people, including members of the Indian community, embassy officials, and journalists. The celebrations began with the hoisting of the tricolour by Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, the ambassador, followed by the national anthem. The ambassador lay floral tributes at the bust of father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, then read out President Droupadi Murmu's message to the nation and Indians around the world. In his keynote address, the ambassador highlighted the close bilateral partnership between India and Saudi Arabia and the significant role played by the Indian diaspora in making this relationship vibrant and robust. It was followed by cultural performances by Indian community members, displaying the rich diversity of India. The cultural program was an eclectic mix of patriotic songs and classical dance performances. In the run-up to Independence Day, embassy officials, their families and Indian community members took part in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' initiative, displaying their patriotic spirit and pride in the national flag. At the Indian Consulate in Jeddah the ceremony began with the hoisting of the national flag by Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri followed by the national anthem, with the consul general reading the president's address to the nation, which highlighted India's accomplishments over the past 78 years and outlined the country's vision. The consul general highlighted the growing partnership with Saudi Arabia and commended the Indian diaspora in the Western Province for their pivotal role in fostering stronger ties and contributing positively to both countries. He also provided updates on the consulate's key initiatives and urged the diaspora to continue their active engagement in advancing these efforts. The celebration featured a cultural program including patriotic songs performed by students from Indian schools in Jeddah that evoked pride, unity, and respect for the county's history and cultural heritage. A highlight of the event was the Tiranga Exhibition, organized as part of the government of India's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. The exhibition included historical images, creative displays, and information about the Indian national flag — promoting awareness, respect, and national pride among attendees. The event concluded with a display of regional Indian cuisines, giving guests a flavourful glimpse into India's rich and diverse food heritage. Each dish, representing different states, highlighted the country's remarkable cultural diversity and unity.


Arab News
14 hours ago
- Arab News
India says international court lacks authority to rule on Pakistan water treaty
NEW DELHI: The international Court of Arbitration lacks any legal authority to make pronouncements on the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan as New Delhi has never recognized the legitimacy of the court, India's foreign ministry said on Thursday. A ruling from the Court of Arbitration last week backed Pakistan by saying that India must adhere to the Indus Waters Treaty in the design of new hydro-electric power stations on rivers that flow west into Pakistan. Under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, three rivers that flow westwards were awarded to Pakistan, with India getting three eastern flowing rivers. Pakistan fears its neighbor India could choke its main water supply, with 80 percent of the country's agriculture and hydro-power dependent on those three river flows. In 2023, Pakistan brought a case to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration over the design of Indian hydro-power projects on rivers that were awarded to Pakistan under the treaty. The court, in a ruling on Friday that was posted on its website on Monday, said it had jurisdiction over the dispute and ruled the treaty 'does not permit India to generate hydro-electric power on the Western Rivers based on what might be the ideal or best practices approach for engineering' of these projects. Instead, the design of these projects must adhere 'strictly' to the specifications laid down in the treaty, the court said. Pakistan's Attorney General, Mansoor Usman, said in an interview on Tuesday that, by and large, the court had accepted Pakistan's position, especially on the design issue of the new hydropower projects. 'I am sure it is clear now that India cannot construct any of these projects in violation of the court's decision,' he told Reuters. Pakistan's foreign ministry said late Monday that the court ruling said that India had to 'let flow' the waters of the three rivers for Pakistan's unrestricted use. The court said its findings are final and binding on both countries, according to the foreign office statement. An Indian official pointed to a June statement by India's foreign ministry, which said that India has never recognized the existence in law of the Court of Arbitration. Tensions between the two countries over the Indus Waters Treaty soared when India unilaterally said in April that it would hold the treaty in abeyance in response to the killing of 26 civilians in Indian-controlled Kashmir, an attack it blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied involvement. Conflict then erupted in May, the most serious fighting between the two countries in decades, before it ended with a ceasefire announcement by US President Donald Trump.


Asharq Al-Awsat
19 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Facing US Tariffs, India's Modi Vows Self-reliance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday that India is seeking self-reliance in energy independence and the development of its own powerful defense systems, vowing to defend his country's interests "like a wall". Modi delivered his annual Independence Day address from the imposing ramparts of New Delhi's Red Fort at a time when India faces intense pressure and threats of additional tariffs from the United States. "Self-reliance is the foundation of developed India," Modi said after a flypast of military helicopters scattered flower petals above an invited crowd of thousands. "Freedom becomes meaningless if someone becomes too dependent on others". Ties between New Delhi and Washington have been strained by Trump's ultimatum that India end its purchases of Russian oil, a key source of revenue for Moscow as it wages its military offensive in Ukraine. India has said it "stands ready" to support efforts to end the Ukraine war and endorses a summit to be held between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. But the United States says it will double new import tariffs on India from 25 percent to 50 percent by August 27 if New Delhi does not switch crude suppliers. "We know that we remain dependent on many countries to meet our energy needs", said Modi, leader of the world's most populous nation and fifth-biggest economy. "But to build a truly self-reliant India, we must achieve energy independence." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement congratulating India's Independence Day, said the relations between the two nations were "consequential and far-reaching", and wanted to "ensure a brighter future for both". 'Blood and water' Modi urged scientists and engineers to focus on building key sectors and technologies including fighter jet engines, semiconductor chips and military hardware systems. "We will have India-made semiconductor chips in the market by the year's end," Modi said. He added that the country was also working towards building a space station and would have a "defense shield" in the next decade, without giving further details. Modi also honored the Indian armed forces, which took part in a four-day conflict with arch-rival Pakistan that ended in a ceasefire on May 10. 'India will give a befitting reply to any other misadventure by the enemy," he added, and referred to New Delhi's suspension of its cross-border water sharing treaty with Pakistan. "India has decided that blood and water will not flow together", he added. Modi did not speak directly about Trump, but said he would "stand like a wall" against any policy that hurts the interests of farmers. Agriculture employs vast numbers of people in India and has been a key sticking point in trade negotiations. "When economic selfishness is rising day by day... we must not just sit and worry about the crisis but instead focus on our strengths," Modi said.