Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong attended India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi on Saturday, August 15, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations.
Xu Feihong also extended greetings to India on the occasion, posting on social media: “Warm congratulations to India on the 80th anniversary of independence!” His presence at the Red Fort came as India marked eight decades since gaining independence in 1947.
Prime Minister Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort and addressed the nation, outlining his government’s vision for India’s development and its goal of becoming a developed country by 2047. The annual ceremony was attended by senior political leaders, officials, diplomats and other invited guests.
The attendance of the Chinese envoy was part of the wider diplomatic participation in India’s Independence Day celebrations. Diplomatic missions and representatives from several countries conveyed greetings to India as the country marked the milestone. The participation reflected the international attention surrounding the occasion and India’s growing role on the global stage.
The celebrations also had a notable connection with India-China diplomatic engagement. While Xu attended the ceremony in New Delhi, the Indian Embassy in Beijing held its own Independence Day programme. Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Doraiswami hoisted the Tricolour in the presence of members of the Indian community and friends of India despite rainy weather. He also read excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation.
The Indian Embassy in Beijing also felicitated winners of competitions organised ahead of Independence Day, including the Bharat Ko Janiye quiz. Patriotic performances by children from the Indian diaspora were also part of the celebrations.
In Shanghai, India’s Consul General Pratik Mathur led Independence Day celebrations attended by more than 400 members of the Indian diaspora, friends of India and members of the local consular community. The event took place despite difficult weather conditions caused by a typhoon.
Xu Feihong’s participation at the Red Fort and his public Independence Day message added to the series of international greetings received by India on the occasion. The celebrations highlighted India’s 80-year journey as an independent nation while bringing together representatives from different countries to mark the historic day.
With diplomatic representatives attending events in New Delhi and Indian missions celebrating across the world, Independence Day 2026 was marked not only as a national occasion but also as an important moment of international engagement.
