Muted Greetings From U.S. Officials On I-Day Signal Strained Ties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have so far been the only senior American officials to extend Independence Day greetings to India this year, highlighting the relatively low-key engagement compared to the Biden administration’s era.

On August 15, Patel shared his wishes on social media, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address from the Red Fort as India celebrated its 79th Independence Day. Patel, whose parents hail from Gujarat and migrated to the U.S. from Canada after fleeing ethnic repression in Uganda, grew up in New York and has often emphasized his Indian heritage.

Rubio also conveyed his greetings, underlining the historic and multifaceted partnership between the United States and India. In a statement, he described the relationship as “consequential and far-reaching,” noting cooperation in industries, technology, innovation, and space. He added that the two democracies are working together to tackle modern challenges and ensure a brighter future for both nations.

The absence of other high-level U.S. officials — including the president or vice president — contrasts with previous administrations, when India typically received broader recognition from Washington on its Independence Day. Observers see this as a subtle reflection of the current strains in bilateral relations. (with IANS inputs)