Lobsang Sangay, Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile hoisted the Indian tricolour as a gathering of Central Tibetan Administration officials sang the national anthem at a function at the Kashag Secretariat here.
"The Central Tibetan Administration observes and congratulates India for its Independence Day," Sangay said in his message.
"On behalf of the CTA, we wish the holy land of India, and very hospitable and kind hosts Indian people, congratulations on India's Independence Day. We wish India shining success in years to come," he said.
Sangay said India and Tibet are linked both geographically and from the civilisation and cultural point of view.
"We owe a lot to India and Indian people historically because our Buddhist civilisation came from India and great Indian scholars brought Buddhism to Tibet," he said.
He also praised the Indian government for providing refuge to Tibetans.
"Presently given the tragic situation in Tibet, after we lost our country we sought refuge in India. In the last more than 50 years, the Indian government and the great people of India have been tremendously kind and supportive for which we are eternally grateful," Sangay said.
He also extended "gratitude to the government and people of Himachal Pradesh as we are based here".
