PM Modi extends 4th of July wishes to Trump 'on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians' — 'May the next 250 years bring more...'

On behalf of “1.4 billion Indians”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his “heartiest congratulations” to US President Donald Trump on America’s 250th birthday.

The Fourth of July marks the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

In a post on X, Modi wrote, “On behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, my heartiest congratulations to President Trump and the people of the United States on the historic 250th anniversary of your independence.”

“India and the United States share more than just a strategic partnership. Our shared belief in democracy, the rule of law and the unlimited potential of our people make our friendship a force for global good,” Modi said. “May the next 250 years bring even greater prosperity, peace and progress to America and take the Indo-US partnership to new heights.”

Millions of Americans are celebrating 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 celebrations.

Lined with monuments celebrating the nation’s founding fathers, Washington’s traditional fireworks display on the National Mall was extraordinarily large and is being touted as the largest ever.

Trump added a program of roaring military overpasses and an unusual Fourth of July campaign-style political rally.

The holiday comes amid a brutal heat wave that has about 160 million Americans under extreme weather warnings, wreaking havoc with planned block parties and barbecues in cities across the country.

With temperatures in the US capital expected to reach 102 F (39 C) – and the heat index to soar to 110-115 F, the Independence Day parade in Washington has been cancelled.

Trump, who turned 80 last month, was undeterred by the sweltering temperatures.

“It’s going to be like 107 degrees outside and I’m going to go and give a really long speech — just to show that I can do anything,” Trump said before the cheers.