US Embassy celebrates America’s 250th Independence Day with messages from Indian icons

The US Embassy in New Delhi on Saturday released a special video to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America's independence, bringing together greetings from former NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, composer A R Rahman and several prominent Indian personalities.

The nearly two-and-a-half-minute video features a cross-section of India's sporting, cultural and public figures, including Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra, former cricketers Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj, badminton star P V Sindhu, actors R Madhavan and Rituparna Sengupta, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.

The tribute begins with footage from the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, underscoring the close ties between the two countries.

It also includes a message from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who says, "We look forward to celebrating it together" with America's partners in India.

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The video was released as part of the US government's commemorations marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.

The celebrations follow a high-profile event hosted by the US Embassy in New Delhi earlier this week to mark the historic milestone.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also conveyed his greetings to the United States on the occasion, joining leaders and public figures in recognising the anniversary.

“Best wishes to @SecRubio, the Government and people of the United States of America on the 250th anniversary of their Independence. Look forward to working together to advance our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” he posted on X.

In the recorded video shared by the embassy, the leading personalities shared what America meant to them.

Former NASA astronaut Williams said, “From the Wright brothers to landing on the Moon, you inspired thousands to imagine the impossible and explore.” Born in Ohio to Deepak Pandya and Ursuline Bonnie Pandya on September 19, 1965, the former US Navy captain remains a figure of immense inspiration in India.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla said America has “inspired the world to dream big and be curious”.

Oscar-winning music composer Rahman said in his comments, “Wishing the best… Peace and love.”

Millions of Americans celebrated the country's 250th birthday on Saturday -- a landmark celebration that comes at a time of deep political division, with a president determined to put his stamp on the festivities.

Washington's traditional fireworks display on the National Mall -- lined with monuments celebrating the nation's Founding Fathers -- has been super-sized, and is being touted as the biggest ever.

President Donald Trump has added a program of roaring military flyovers -- and an unusual campaign-style political rally -- for July Fourth, which marks the anniversary of the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The national holiday comes in the middle of a brutal heat wave, with some 160 million Americans under extreme weather warnings, wreaking havoc with planned block parties and barbecues in towns and cities across much of the country.

With inputs from agencies