US leaders, governors and Bill Gates salute India’s Republic Day, highlighting shared democratic values, diaspora ties and expanding cooperation between Washington and New Delhi across technology, trade and global development….reports Asian Lite News
India’s 77th Republic Day was marked across the United States with messages from President Donald Trump, state governors, members of Congress and philanthropist Bill Gates, reflecting the depth of democratic ties, people-to-people connections and growing strategic cooperation between the two countries.
In messages released by the U.S. Embassy in India and shared by American officials, the occasion was used to highlight the shared identity of India and the United States as the world’s largest and oldest democracies, as well as the expanding scope of their partnership in areas ranging from security and technology to trade, innovation and global development.
President Donald Trump congratulated the government and people of India on the Republic Day milestone, describing the relationship between the two countries as rooted in a historic bond of democratic ideals. He said Washington places high importance on its ties with New Delhi and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to strengthening cooperation with India in the years ahead.
Members of the US Congress echoed that sentiment, with Congressman Greg Landsman praising India’s democratic resilience and growing global influence. He described India as a close friend of the United States and a key partner in upholding a rules-based international order, particularly at a time of rising global authoritarianism. Landsman said cooperation through groupings such as the Quad and I2U2 remains vital for maintaining regional stability and shared prosperity.
Congresswoman Kim Schrier also marked the occasion by noting that Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of the world’s largest democracy and the enduring values it represents. She highlighted the contributions of Indian and Indian American communities to the cultural, educational and economic life of Washington state, saying their commitment to innovation and learning benefits society as a whole.
At the state level, several governors issued statements recognising India’s growing ties with the United States and the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening those bonds. South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden congratulated India on completing 77 years as a republic and pointed to expanding engagement between the two countries. He said recent discussions with Indian officials had focussed on cooperation in agriculture, trade and tourism, expressing confidence that the partnership would continue to deepen.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte similarly acknowledged the impact of Indian and Indian American communities on his state’s cultural and economic life. He praised their focus on innovation and education and extended his best wishes to India for a healthy and prosperous year ahead.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen described Republic Day as an extraordinary milestone and a moment to reflect on shared democratic values. He said Nebraska values its partnership with India and highlighted cooperation in trade, technology, agriculture and cultural exchange as key areas of mutual benefit.
Adding a global development perspective, Bill Gates, Chair and Board Member of the Gates Foundation, marked the occasion with a video message in which he reflected on what he described as the extraordinary promise India made to itself in 1950. He said that promise continues to shape the country’s ambitions and development trajectory.
Gates pointed to India’s progress in innovation, noting that solutions developed in the country are delivering results at scale, not only domestically but across the global south. He highlighted advancements in health, agriculture, digital public infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence, describing them as models with global relevance.
He said he would attend the upcoming India AI Impact Summit and that the Gates Foundation would outline new partnerships and commitments aimed at building an inclusive and responsible AI future. Praising Indian innovators, Gates said their work has the potential to save and improve millions of lives, advance social good and drive economic growth worldwide.
Gates also underlined the role of the Indian diaspora in the United States, noting that its engagement continues to strengthen the relationship between the two democracies, making Republic Day not just a national milestone for India but a shared moment of reflection and partnership across borders.
