Washington, DC – The Indian community in the Washington Metropolitan Area celebrated the Republic Day with Ambassador Nirupama Rao on January 24 at a colorful function at the official residence of the ambassador on a cold and snowy evening.
Welcoming US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and newly elected Indian American Congressman Ami Bera (D-California) to the evening which marked India’s Republic Day, Ambassador Rao told a select audience of dignitaries and journalists, “This is an occasion when we celebrate the strength and resilience of India’s vibrant democracy, her respect for fundamental freedoms, her upholding of the rule of law, and her commitment to friendship with neighbors and our partners all over the world.”
Emphasizing the resilient Indian philosophy over the ages, the ambassador said, “We have never been, and will never be deterred by any challenges we may face, knowing that the basic goodness of the human spirit that imbues our people, and our belief in democracy and its enduring values, can never let us down.”
Ambassador Rao highlighted the common values of democracy in the partnership with the US, saying, “Our strategic partnership with the United States is marked by energy, by hope, by the vision of our leaders that our cooperation for global peace, progress and stability can make a difference for our century.”
“We have particularly valued the friendship, the commitment and dedicated cooperation of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Deputy Secretary Burns, Under Secretary Sherman, and other outstanding colleagues in the Department of State in this journey that we have jointly undertaken to strengthen India-US partnership over the last few years,” stressed the Indian ambassador.
Earlier the outgoing Secretary Clinton greeted the people of India on the Republic Day saying that her three trips to India as Secretary of State “reinforced my unyielding belief that the US-India strategic partnership is making the world more united, prosperous, and secure.”
“On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send my best wishes to the people and government of India as you celebrate your 64th Republic Day this January 26th,” Clinton said in her statement.
Noting that the US and India share an unwavering commitment to democratic government, Clinton said: “Our shared values are the foundation for the innovative, entrepreneurial drive that is allowing more and more of our 1.5 billion people to realize their potential.”
“Together we are strengthening our ties and working to address some of the most difficult global challenges,” she said.
“As you celebrate this special day, know that the United States stands with you. Best wishes for a year filled with peace and prosperity,” Secretary Clinton concluded.
The US-India Strategic Dialogue was launched in 2010 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Indian Federal Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna to serve as the capstone dialogue between the two countries.