US President Donald Trump on Monday extended greetings to India on its 77th Republic Day, describing ties between the two countries as a “historic bond” rooted in their democratic traditions.
“On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the government and people of India as you celebrate your 77th Republic Day,” Trump said in a message posted on X and shared by the US embassy in India.
“The United States and India share a historic bond as the world’s oldest and largest democracies,” he added.
The message, accompanied by a black-and-white photograph of Trump with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was posted by the US embassy at 2.14 pm, shortly after the Republic Day parade concluded at Kartavya Path.
Trump’s greeting came amid strains in bilateral trade ties following Washington’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent punitive levy linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil, taking the total tariff burden to 50 per cent.
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Despite trade tensions, defence cooperation between the two countries has expanded in recent years. US-origin military platforms, including C-130J transport aircraft and Apache attack helicopters, featured in the Indian Air Force flypast during the Republic Day celebrations.
Negotiations on a proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement have continued through multiple rounds over the past year but remain unresolved, primarily due to differences over Washington’s demand for greater access to India’s agriculture and dairy sectors.
Relations have also faced friction over issues such as Trump’s claim of having helped end the India-Pakistan conflict following Operation Sindoor last May, as well as changes to US immigration policy.
Separately, India marked the occasion by hosting senior European leaders as chief guests. Prime Minister Modi said India was privileged to welcome European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“Their presence underscores the growing strength of the India-European Union partnership and our commitment to shared values,” Modi said, adding that the visit would “add momentum to the deepening engagement and cooperation between India and Europe across diverse sectors,” amid expectations of progress on a long-pending India-EU free trade agreement.
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