Republic Day greetings pour in from across the world, PM Modi thanks world leaders

New Delhi, Jan 26 (UNI) Warm Republic Day greetings poured in from world leaders on Wednesday, including from Israeli PM Naftali Bennett, UK PM Boris Johnson, Australia’s Scott Morrison and French President Emmanuel Macron, and nearer home, from Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba and Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Israeli PM Naftali Bennett for the Republic Day greetings. Recalling their meeting in November in Glasgow, on the sidelines of the COP26, he said: “I fondly remember our meeting held last November. I am confident that India-Israel strategic partnership will continue to prosper with your forward-looking approach.” The Israeli PM had in a tweet extended greetings to “my great friend” Prime Minister Modi. “Happy 73rd Republic Day to my great friend Prime Minister @NarendraModi and the wonderful people of India. “Warm greetings to you all on this special day! “May India be blessed with continued peace and prosperity.” The PM also thanked Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for the Republic Day wishes. “The special and time-tested relations between India and Maldives are strengthened by our shared democratic values,” he said. President Solih in a tweet extended Republic Day greetings to President Ram Nath Kovind, and PM Modi: “Greetings and good wishes to PM @narendramodi, @rashtrapatibhvn, and the people of India on the occasion of India’s 73rd #RepublicDay! “India’s republic, its democratic institutions and constitutionalism continue to inspire hope for democracies the world over.’ Former President Mohamed Nasheed in a tweet said that India’s democratic Constitution has inspired countless democracies across South Asia and the world “Happy Republic Day, to the President, Prime Minister, government and people of India. On this day we celebrate the founding of the Indian republic and India’s democratic Constitution, which has inspired countless democrats across South Asia and the world.” British PM Boris Johnson in a tweet extended greetings, saying: “The UK and India are tied by bonds that span over decades, through generations and across some of the greatest challenges we have faced. “I want to send my best wishes from the UK to the people of India, and to all British Indians, on India’s Republic Day.” PM Modi also thanked Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa for his greetings. “Thank you PM Rajapaksa. This year is special as both our countries celebrate the 75-year milestone of Independence. May the ties between our peoples continue to grow stronger.” The Sri Lankan PM, in a tweet, said: “Wishing PM @narendramodi, the Government and People of #India a very happy 73rd Republic Day. May the relationship between our two nations continue to grow to mutually benefit our people so that our nations may prosper. #RepublicDayIndia” PM Modi also thanked his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering for the Republic Day greetings. “Thank you @PMBhutan for your warm wishes on India’s Republic Day. India deeply values its unique and enduring friendship with Bhutan. Tashi Delek to the Government and people of Bhutan. May our ties grow from strength to strength.” The Bhutanese PM in a message, said: ”On this Republic Day of India, the people of Bhutan and I send our best wishes to the people of India. While you witness the majestic parades in celebration today, please know that the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan rejoice with you in heart and spirit.” He also thanked Mauritian PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth for his greetings, and said “the exceptional and multifaceted partnership between our countries continues to grow from strength to strength.” “Thank you Prime Minister @JugnauthKumar for your warm wishes. The exceptional and multifaceted partnership between our countries continues to grow from strength to strength.” The Mauritian PM in his greetings said: “Warm greetings to Shri @narendramodi and the people of India on India’s 73rd Republic Day. Mauritius and India nurture a special kind of friendship which underpins a strong development partnership.@HCI_PortLouis @PMOIndia”. PM Modi also wished ‘dear friend’ Scott Morrison, Australian PM, a very happy Australia Day. ‘We have much in common, including love for democracy and cricket!,’ he said. “Wishing my dear friend @ScottMorrisonMP and the people of Australia a very happy Australia Day. We have much in common, including love for democracy and cricket! PM Morrison had in a tweet said: “Australia and India enjoy a wonderful friendship. While we celebrate #AustraliaDay today, I also extend my very best wishes to my good friend @narendramodi and all Indians on #RepublicDayIndia गणतंत्र दिवस की शुभकामनाएँ| #dosti.” French President Emmanuel Macron extended Republic Day greetings to “my friend Prime Minister Modi – dear Narendra, and all Indians”, and said their shared ambition and projects for the Indo-Pacific are progressing well. In a message in Hindi on Facebook, the French President also recalled his 2018 visit to India and to Varanasi, and said he has very good memories of the visit and the enthusiasm of PM Modi. “On Republic Day, I wish my friend Prime Minister Modi – dear Narendra, and all Indians the very best. “नमस्ते! इस 26 जनवरी को, भारत गणराज्य के संविधान दिवस की वर्षगांठ के अवसर पर, मेरे मित्र प्रधानमंत्री मोदी – प्रिय नरेंद्र, और सभी भारतीयों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं । हमारी इंडो-पैसिफिक महत्वाकांक्षा और साझा परियोजनाएं जारी हैं और जारी रहेंगी! मेरे पास 2018 में अपनी भारत यात्रा और आपके गर्मजोशी से स्वागत की बहुत अच्छी यादें हैं।” The Republic Day parade on Wednesday also saw a flypast with the participation of the Rafale fighter jets. France has offered to supply more Rafales if required. The French Ambassador in India Emmanuel Lenain, in a tweet, said: “Always a proud moment to witness IAF #Rafale fighter jets in the #RepublicDay flypast! “Truly breathtaking manoeuvres.