United States Secretary of State John Kerry has congratulated India and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the occasion of the country's 67th Independence Day.
In a statement issued on behalf of President Barack Obama and the people of the United States, Kerry said that the United States "takes pride in our indispensable partnership with India, a friendship built on our shared democratic values, the entrepreneurial spirit of our people, and our rich people-to-people ties."
Recalling his recent visit to India for the fourth U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, he said that he now looks forward to continuing critical efforts to lay the "foundations for peace, democracy, and prosperity in Asia and around the world."
He said that during his visit, he was privileged and honored to witness first hand the vibrancy of India's culture, the energy of its youth, and the strength and resilience of its democratic institutions.
"Together, our governments held their fourth annual U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, allowing each side to build partnerships on issues such as regional security and defense, science and technology, climate change, and women's empowerment," he said.
He also made a mention of Mahatma Gandhi and the other heroes of India, who have proved that great change can be achieved through non-violent means.