Article by H.E. Mr. Muhammad Noor Rahman Sheikh, Ambassador of India to Lebanon, on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day of India

I convey my warmest greetings to my fellow Indians in Lebanon and around the world on India’s 80th Independence Day! On this day, 15 August 1947, under the stellar leadership of the great mass leader- Mahatma Gandhi, India achieved Independence. Through ‘Ahimsa’-Non-Violence and ‘Satyagraha’-Truth, he showed the world, the right path to achieve the most difficult thing then- ending the colonial rule. I also pay tribute to legendary leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, and the countless unsung freedom fighters including those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the freedom struggle. Their bravery laid the foundation for a sovereign democratic nation grounded in justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

In the eight decades of independent India, marvelous strides have been made in economic development, strengthening democracy, science & technology, innovation, renewable energy, education, infrastructure, human capital, healthcare and generic medicines.

The world has also witnessed India’s recent achievements in space sector, including the launch of satellites by the private sector, advancements in Artificial Intelligence, construction of numerous airports in India connecting its 1.46 billion people and visitors from around the world, development of Digital Public Infrastructure, which has brought about financial inclusion and simplified digital payments leading to over 500 million financial transactions taking place everyday and improved access to public services for millions.

Today, as we hoist the Tricolour in Beirut and around the world, we remind ourselves of the challenges we have overcome and the opportunities that lie ahead of us. With Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’- a developed India by 2047 when India completes 100 years of its independence, all of us pledge to contribute to this journey in whatever way we can, by being models of hard work, enterprise and humanity in our approach.

India’s relations with Lebanon have been cordial and time-tested. Our close civilizational ties continued well into the early 20th century with a close friendship between the noted Lebanese writer-philosopher-painter Khalil Gibran and the first Nobel Laureate from India- the great author-philosopher Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, followed by the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Lebanon in 1954, just 7 years after India’s independence. Both countries have supported each other in various multilateral fora including the United Nations. India has contributed to UNIFIL for the last 28 years and worked closely with the Government and the people of Lebanon in capacity building, implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) and humanitarian assistance, including medicines and artificial limbs.

Lebanon’s parliamentary democracy and representational institutions provide hope for a strong and resilient country, just as India’s unique values of ‘Unity in Diversity’ which hold a foundational basis for an inclusive and democratic country. Lebanon has also been a very welcoming country just like India, which believes in the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ meaning ‘the World is one family’.

It’s very heartening to see that India’s gifts to the world - Ayurveda and Yoga, which enhance human spirit and human wellbeing, are immensely popular in Lebanon. We are also very happy that a large number of Lebanese people travel to India for wellness and medical value travel, capacity training programs under ITEC, tourism and business. The current bilateral trade of $500 million is expected to cross the billion-dollar mark in a few years.

On this special occasion of India’s Independence, let me appeal to my fellow Indians and to the Lebanese people who have travelled to India to be the brand ambassadors of promoting India and to encourage their Lebanese friends to visit and experience India with their own eyes. I am also confident that many Indians will travel to Lebanon and enjoy its hospitality.

Long live India-Lebanon friendship!

Jai Hind!