Indian community in UAE celebrates Independence Day
Burj Khalifa and landmarks to light up in Indian tricolour
DUBAI: From veterans who arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over four decades ago to babies experiencing their first national day, hundreds of Indians gathered before sunrise on Friday to mark the 79th anniversary of their country’s independence.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai hosted official flag-hoisting ceremonies, shifted earlier this year to beat the summer heat.
In Abu Dhabi, Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir raised the Indian tricolour, while in Dubai, Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan led the flag unfurling. Both read excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu’s Independence Day address. Attendees waved flags and sang patriotic songs, with cultural performances and exhibitions showcasing India’s heritage.
Abu Dhabi featured tribal art and a counter-terrorism display, while Dubai hosted an exhibition tracing the journey of the national flag.
79th #IndependenceDay Celebrations in Abu Dhabi!
— India in UAE (@IndembAbuDhabi) August 15, 2025
Amb @sunjaysudhir led the flag hoisting ceremony on the joyous occasion.
Amb highlighted the strides made by ???????? in different domains and the ever-growing ???????????????? partnership, in his address to the community. pic.twitter.com/Jk61OqtAdo
India-UAE ties
Ambassador Sudhir described India-UAE relations as being “at their strongest ever”, crediting a decade of growth since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark 2015 visit. The Indian diaspora has expanded from 2.2 million to over 4.5 million, playing a crucial role in trade, technology, education, and cultural exchange.
He highlighted major collaborations, including the upcoming IIM Ahmedabad campus in Dubai, the IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi, and the CBSE’s first overseas office in the UAE. Plans are under way to link India’s UPI with the UAE’s AANI payment system, and he praised the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi as a symbol of shared values.
The ambassador and consul general thanked the UAE leadership for supporting the Indian community, which they called a pillar of bilateral relations. They saluted professionals and labourers alike for contributing to the UAE’s economy and India’s global image. Early-morning attendees, including Abdul Rasheed, a Dubai resident since 1977, expressed their pride by carrying both Indian and UAE flags.
In the evening, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa – the tallest tower in the world – will display the Indian flag at 7.50pm to mark the occasion, the Indian Consulate confirmed. The tricolour illumination, an annual highlight for Indians worldwide, will be joined by other UAE landmarks lighting up in India’s national colours to commemorate the historic day of 15 August 1947.
How India celebrated at home
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort, calling for self-reliance in energy and advanced technology.
Sharing glimpses from the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2025
This is a great occasion to remember our freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to building a stronger, self-reliant India. pic.twitter.com/hdieMsJS9I
He urged scientists to focus on fighter jet engines, semiconductor chips, and defence systems, announcing India-made chips would be in markets by year-end.
Here are more glimpses from the Red Fort.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2025
May India keep scaling new heights of progress! pic.twitter.com/Je8S7qi7QN
Modi reaffirmed his government’s goal of achieving energy independence, defending national interests “like a wall” amid trade tensions with the United States.