New Delhi, Aug 16: World leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and French President Emmanuel Macron, greeted India on its 80th Independence Day on Sunday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanking them and reaffirming bilateral ties. Thanking Netanyahu for his wishes, Modi said India deeply valued its friendship with Israel and hoped the India-Israel special strategic partnership would grow stronger, opening new opportunities and deepening people-to-people ties.

Netanyahu, in his message, congratulated India and Modi, describing the Prime Minister as his “dear friend”. He noted that India and Israel had achieved independence a year apart and said the two ancient nations were working together to build a better future for their people.

“Our innovation and friendship are boundless. The best is yet to come!”

Netanyahu said. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also extended Independence Day greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Modi, expressing hope that the friendship between the two countries would continue to deepen.

Modi said India remained committed to further strengthening its strategic partnership with Israel for the benefit of the two countries’ people. “India deeply values its friendship with Israel.

We remain committed to further strengthening our Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our people,” Modi said. Modi also thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for his warm Independence Day wishes.

Leaders of neighbouring countries Bhutan and Nepal also conveyed their greetings to India. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay extended his warm wishes to his “elder brother” Modi and expressed hope that the friendship and close ties between the two countries would continue to flourish.

Responding to Tobgay, Modi said India deeply cherishes its “special and enduring partnership” with Bhutan, which he said continued to grow stronger. Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah extended his “heartfelt greetings” and best wishes to Modi, expressing hope that the longstanding historical ties, close people-to-people relations and cooperation between Nepal and India would strengthen further.

Modi thanked Shah and said India is committed to working with Nepal to deepen their multifaceted and age-old civilisational ties for the mutual prosperity and well-being of their people. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also extended greetings to President Murmu, Modi, the Indian government and the people of India.