External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the principles set out in the US Declaration of Independence helped shape the modern world and resonated naturally with India’s democratic traditions. Speaking at the US Embassy’s National Day reception in New Delhi, he described the Declaration’s emphasis on individual liberty, rule of law, free speech and accountable governance as ideas that influenced democratic movements and freedom struggles globally.
Jaishankar noted that India’s own pluralistic, consultative ethos made this affinity with American democratic ideals natural. He said some measures adopted in the United States to ascertain popular will and create a federal structure were considered by India’s constitution makers, and that shared values have only deepened as travel, technology and economic ties have expanded.
Highlighting the contemporary basis of the relationship, Jaishankar said India and the United States are both political democracies, market economies and open societies. That common ground, he argued, has been reinforced by converging national interests and helped the two countries move past historical hesitations to build a closer partnership.
He described the strategic partnership as broad and growing, spanning trade and investment, defense and security, critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, energy and space, as well as education, health and cultural exchanges. Each side, he said, adds value and expands opportunities for the other.
On security, Jaishankar stressed both nations’ shared determination to combat terrorism in all forms and the importance of robust counter‑terrorism cooperation. He also pointed to the Indian diaspora in the United States as a ‘‘living bridge’’ that has made major contributions across technology, academia, medicine, entrepreneurship and public service and helped build political understanding between the two countries.
Addressing global economic concerns, he argued that India and the US have a common interest in ‘‘de‑risking’’ the global economy and offering the world more choices, noting the present era of transition reinforces the case for close cooperation. The visit by Secretary Rubio, Jaishankar said, underscores the contemporary significance of bilateral ties, the value of a strong partnership and productive collaboration in plurilateral forums including the Quad and other multilateral organisations.
Recalling the pathway set a year earlier by Prime Minister Modi and President Trump to deepen the partnership, Jaishankar said the objective remains advancing the aspirations of both peoples for a bright and prosperous future while serving global good. He added that events such as the reception bring together many stakeholders committed to that vision and reaffirm the bilateral commitment to sustained cooperation.
In a post on X, Jaishankar noted he was pleased to join US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the reception marking 250 years of the Declaration of Independence and reiterated that as political democracies, market economies and open societies, India and the US share many interests and convergences as their strategic partnership continues to strengthen across a wide range of domains.
