PM Modi thanks world leaders for Independence Day wishes, reaffirms ties
Synopsis
On Independence Day, PM Modi used social media platform X to publicly respond to greetings from six world leaders — a diplomatic ritual that has become a real-time barometer of India's bilateral relationships. The exchanges, spanning France to Bhutan, carried implicit signals: notably, a warm public exchange with Maldives President Muizzu after months of strained ties.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi responded to Independence Day greetings from six world leaders across five countries on 15 August via platform X .
Leaders acknowledged include French President Emmanuel Macron , Nepalese PM Balendra Shah , Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu , Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini , and Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay .
Modi also responded to Rabi Lamichhane , former Deputy PM and Home Minister of Nepal.
The exchange with Muizzu is diplomatically notable given earlier tensions in India-Maldives relations.
Tobgay referred to Modi as his 'elder brother,' reflecting the close India-Bhutan relationship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August responded to Independence Day greetings from multiple world leaders on social media platform X, reaffirming India's commitment to deepening bilateral relationships across its neighbourhood and beyond. The exchanges, conducted publicly on the platform, spanned leaders from France, Nepal, the Maldives, Slovakia, and Bhutan.
Key Exchanges with World Leaders
Responding to French President Emmanuel Macron's Independence Day greeting, Modi wrote: 'Thank you for your warm wishes, my friend! Emmanuel Macron.' The brief but warm exchange underscores the deepening India-France strategic partnership, which has grown significantly in recent years through defence and space cooperation.
Modi also replied to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah, stating: 'Thank you, Prime Minister Balendra Shah for your warm greetings. We are committed to working together to further strengthen the multifaceted and age-old civilisational ties between India and Nepal for the mutual prosperity and well-being of the people of our nations.' Separately, he also responded to Rabi Lamichhane, former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of Nepal, reiterating India's commitment to strengthening the 'deep bonds of friendship' between the two countries.
Neighbourhood-First Diplomacy on Display
The Prime Minister's responses to leaders from Bhutan and the Maldives reflected the continued emphasis on India's neighbourhood-first foreign policy. Replying to Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay — who referred to Modi as his 'elder brother' — Modi said: 'We deeply cherish our special and enduring partnership with Bhutan, which continues to go from strength to strength.'
To Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Modi wrote: 'Thank you, President Muizzu, for your warm wishes. May the bonds of friendship between India and the Maldives continue to grow stronger.' The exchange is notable given the diplomatic tensions that marked the early months of the Muizzu administration, making the public cordiality a signal of stabilised ties.
Outreach Beyond the Neighbourhood
Modi also acknowledged Independence Day wishes from Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini, expressing intent to 'further strengthen the Comprehensive Partnership between India and Slovakia.' The response signals India's active diplomatic engagement with Central European nations, a relatively newer focus area for New Delhi's foreign policy outreach.
Diplomatic Significance
Independence Day has increasingly become a platform for India's public diplomacy, with the Prime Minister's social media responses serving as real-time signals of bilateral warmth or recalibration. This year's round of acknowledgements — spanning six leaders across five countries — reflects a broad diplomatic footprint. Analysts note that the tone and specificity of each response often carry implicit messaging about the state of each bilateral relationship.
Point of View
But the content of each response still carries weight. Modi's warm public exchange with Maldives President Muizzu — after a period of notable diplomatic friction — is the most consequential signal in this round. The response to Slovakia, meanwhile, hints at India's quiet push to deepen ties with Central Europe, a front that receives little attention but reflects a broadening of New Delhi's strategic geography. The neighbourhood-first framing remains intact, but the outreach is clearly expanding.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which world leaders did PM Modi thank on Independence Day?
PM Modi thanked French President Emmanuel Macron, Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and former Nepalese Deputy PM Rabi Lamichhane via posts on platform X on 15 August.
What did PM Modi say to Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah?
Modi said he was 'committed to working together to further strengthen the multifaceted and age-old civilisational ties between India and Nepal for the mutual prosperity and well-being of the people of our nations.'
Why is Modi's response to Maldives President Muizzu significant?
The exchange is notable because India-Maldives relations experienced diplomatic strain in the early months of the Muizzu administration. A warm, public Independence Day exchange signals a stabilisation of ties between the two countries.
What did Bhutan's PM Tshering Tobgay say to PM Modi?
Tobgay referred to Modi as his 'elder brother' in his Independence Day greeting, to which Modi responded that India 'deeply cherishes' its 'special and enduring partnership with Bhutan.'
How does India use Independence Day for diplomacy?
Independence Day has increasingly become a platform for India's public diplomacy, with PM Modi's social media responses to foreign leaders serving as real-time indicators of the warmth and priority level of each bilateral relationship.
