US President Donald Trump on Monday extended his heartfelt greetings to India on the occasion of 77th Republic Day, describing the relationship between the two countries as a “historic partnership” between the world’s oldest and largest democracies.In a message shared on X by the US Embassy in India, Trump said, “On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the government and people of India as you celebrate your 77th Republic Day.”“The United States and India share a historic bond as the world’s oldest and largest democracies,” he added.US secretary of state Marco Rubio also conveyed greetings on the occasion, underscoring the breadth of engagement between the two countries. “From our close cooperation on defense, energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies to our multi-layered engagement through the Quad, the US-India relationship delivers real results for our two countries and for the Indo-Pacific region,” Rubio said in a statement.“I look forward to working together to advance our shared objectives in the year ahead,” he added.US ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who attended the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, also extended wishes. “Happy Republic Day, India! Honored to attend the Republic Day Parade for the first time, a celebration of India’s Constitution and democratic spirit. Thrilled to see the US-made aircraft soaring in the Indian sky, a powerful symbol of the strength of the US-India strategic partnership,” he said.US-origin military platforms, including C-130J transport aircraft and Apache helicopters, featured in the aerial display during the parade.The greetings come against the backdrop of tensions in India-US relations following the decision by US President Donald Trump to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent punitive levy linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, taking total duties to as high as 50 per cent on certain items.Both sides held multiple rounds of negotiations last year to finalise a proposed bilateral trade agreement, but the talks failed to yield a deal, largely due to Washington’s demand that India open up its farm and dairy sectors. Beyond trade, ties have also been strained by other issues, including US President Donald Trump’s claim of ending the India-Pakistan conflict in May last year and changes in Washington’s immigration policy.(With inputs from PTI)
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