Representatives from India and South Korea gathered Saturday to commemorate the third annual joint Independence Day celebration, highlighting the shared Aug. 15 independence date that bonds the two nations.

The event took place at the Indian Consulate, hosted by Consul General Binaya Pradhan in partnership with the Shanti Fund and the MultiCultural Council of New York.

According to the Indian Consulate General representative, the celebration underscored the “special strategic partnership” between the nations, which formally established diplomatic relations in 1973. The representative noted that 2024 marked the golden jubilee of diplomatic ties between the countries.

“India and Korea are not just friends of the present. We are partners of the future,” the Indian representative said during the ceremony.

The representative highlighted economic cooperation between the nations, stating that bilateral trade has surpassed $27 billion, with both countries targeting $50 billion by 2030. Recent commitments made at this year’s G7 summit include expanded cooperation in hydrogen, shipbuilding, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing.

The Korean Consulate General representative noted the democratic values shared by both nations, according to remarks delivered at the event.

“India and Korea share a special bond that goes beyond a common day,” the Korean representative said. “Both of our nations drew on the courage and a great passion for liberty for our independence, and on this shared foundation, we stand together [for] democracy in Asia.”

The joint celebration began at the Indian Consulate in 2023, then moved to the Korean American Association of Greater New York offices in 2024 before returning to the Indian Consulate this year.

The program featured performances of both national anthems, traditional dances from both countries, speeches from consulate representatives, and a short concert by Soh Young & Friends. Attendees participated in singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

A performance at the Indian and South Korean Independence Day joint celebration at the Indian Consulate in New York on Aug. 23, 2025. (Courtesy of the Multicultural Council of NY)

A performance at the Indian and South Korean Independence Day joint celebration at the Indian Consulate in New York on Aug. 23, 2025. (Jenny Park/The Epoch Times)

Singer Soh Young Lee-Segredo, who organized the musical portion, serves as founder and president of the MultiCultural Council of New York and volunteers with the Shanti Fund.

“This celebration is meaningful to me since the collaboration depicts and advocates creativity, diversity, equity, opportunity, and unity,” Lee-Segredo said.

The Indian representative noted the timing coincided with India’s National Space Day, marking the second anniversary of the country’s achievement as the first nation to successfully land on the Moon’s lunar south pole on Aug. 23, 2023.

The Shanti Fund, led by volunteer Arvind Vora, has promoted peace education in schools and organizations since 1994.

Daksha Devnani contributed to this report.

From NTD News