The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu celebrated India's 80th Independence Day on 15 August 2025 (Saturday) with a formal flag-hoisting ceremony attended by members of the Indian community, Embassy officials, their families, and friends of India in Nepal. The event underscored the depth of India-Nepal bilateral ties even as Ambassador Naveen Srivastava highlighted expanding connectivity across railway, digital, and energy sectors.

Flag Hoisting and Presidential Address

The celebrations opened with the singing of Vande Mataram, followed by the hoisting of the Indian national flag by Ambassador Naveen Srivastava and the singing of the national anthem. Attendees also watched a broadcast of President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation, delivered on the eve of the 80th Independence Day.

AGIF Cheques for Families of Deceased Soldiers

In a significant gesture of recognition, Ambassador Srivastava honoured the widows and next of kin of 11 deceased personnel of the Indian Armed Forces, handing over Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) cheques totalling NPR 8.2 crore. The handover reflects the longstanding service of Nepali nationals in the Indian Armed Forces and the Embassy's commitment to supporting their families.

Competitions, Book Grants, and Cultural Events

The Embassy felicitated winners of several competitions organised to mark the occasion, including a painting competition on the theme Viksit Bharat, the Viksit Bharat Run, an inter-school quiz competition, and a special edition of the 'Bharat Ko Janiye' quiz. The Embassy also announced a book grant for 22 educational institutions and libraries across seven provinces of Nepal, aimed at improving access to educational resources. Cultural performances and patriotic songs were presented by teachers and students of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy of India.

Ambassador Highlights India-Nepal Connectivity Push

Ahead of the celebrations, Ambassador Srivastava issued a message emphasising the expansion of multifaceted relations between the two neighbours. He pointed to growing connectivity through railway, transmission lines, and digital payments as key pillars of the bilateral relationship.

'Railway connectivity between the Indian railway system and Biratnagar in Nepal will make Nepal's customs, trade and transit arrangements more efficient and effective,' Srivastava said. He added that the launch of cross-border digital payments would ease remittance transfers for the large number of Nepali citizens working in India. Cooperation on electricity transmission lines, startups, aviation, information technology, renewable energy, space, and cricket was also cited as areas of deepening collaboration.

Nepal's President and Prime Minister Extend Greetings

Nepal's President Ram Chandra Poudel congratulated India on the occasion, writing on the President's official handle on X: 'On the auspicious occasion of the 80th Independence Day of India, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to the President, the Government and the friendly people of India.' Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah also extended wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian people, expressing hope that 'the deep historical ties, close people-to-people relations and cooperation between Nepal and India continue to strengthen in the years ahead.'