70th Independence Day: US wishes India, pledges to ensure freedom within democracies

Greeting India on its 70th Independence Day, the US today reaffirmed its pledge to working towards ensuring freedom and justice for "all within our great democracies."

"On behalf of President (Barack) Obama and the American people, I send our best wishes to the people of the Republic of India as you celebrate your Independence Day on August 15," Secretary of State John Kerry said. 

"As India celebrates Independence Day, we recommit to working to ensure freedom and justice for all within our great democracies," he said in a statement. 

"When Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the United States Congress this past June, he remarked that "the traits of freedom and liberty form a strong bond between our two democracies. It is worth remembering this today as India celebrates its independence," he said. 

Celebrations were held across the US a day prior (according to their local time) in order to coincide with revelry in India, with the largest gathering reported from Fremont in California and Edison in New Jersey attended by thousands of people, with marching bands and colourful cultural extravaganza. 

In cities like Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Orlando and Minneapolis community organisations held cultural events over the weekend as part of celebrations, to include unfurling of the tricolour in Washington DC by Indian Ambassador to the US Arun K Singh and at other missions' in New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and San Francisco by Indian diplomats.