On August 15, 2025, India celebrated its 79th Independence Day across its missions in Australia, including Perth, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The day began with ceremonial hoisting of the tricolor, accompanied by the Indian National Anthem sung with pride by attendees.

The Indian Consulates and High Commission shared excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu’s Independence Day address and her greetings to Indian officials, missions abroad, and the diaspora. She highlighted India’s democratic heritage as the “oldest republic and a mother of democracy,” noted a 6.5 percent GDP growth rate, and showcased the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme covering over 550 million people. 

President Murmu also outlined India’s technological advancements, from near universal 4G connectivity to initiatives under the India AI Mission and the Space Program. She celebrated India’s journey toward becoming a developed economy by 2047 and recognized the contributions of youth, women, and marginalized communities in nation building.

Across Australia, celebrations united the Indian diaspora, dignitaries, and local representatives, with each mission following a similar protocol of flag hoisting, anthems, and speeches reflecting India’s progress. In Perth, the events underscored the dedication of community leaders, the vibrancy of the diaspora, and the enduring bonds between India and Western Australia.

Consul General (CG) of India to Western Australia and the Northern Territory in Perth, Kajari Biswas hoisted the Indian flag and welcomed the attendees and the veterans of the Indian community, who sang the national anthem in ceremonial uniforms. Distinguished Indian-origin MLAs including Dr. Jags Krishnan, Yaz Mubarakai, and Kevin Michel were acknowledged. Cultural performances by Sanskriti Seniors and Nritya Sadhana School of Indian Classical Dance concluded the ceremony.

The evening continued with the India Day Reception at the Indian Community Centre (ICC), hosted by the Consulate General of India, Perth. CG Biswas highlighted India’s journey over seven decades, drawing inspiration from Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali and the vision of a nation where the mind is fearless, knowledge is free, and unity and innovation guide development. She noted India’s vibrant democracy of over 1.4 billion people and the fourth-largest global economy, projected to become the third largest by decade’s end.

She emphasized India’s leadership in technology and AI, including the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the world’s largest real-time digital payment system, now handling half of all global real-time financial transactions. She also highlighted the International Space Station mission by Shubhanshu Shukla of Indian Space Research Organization and landmark infrastructure such as the 359-meter-high Chenab Bridge in Kashmir, the tallest arch bridge in the world, 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower.

The Consul General noted India’s advocacy for the Global South through the G7, G20, BRICS, and Quad, and deepening ties with Western Australia in trade, education, defense, and innovation, including collaboration with the Australian Space Agency on the Gaganyaan mission. CG Biswas mentioned the University of Western Australia as among the first group of eight universities announced to establish campuses in India.

She also touched on sports, highlighting the upcoming bilateral ODI cricket series in Perth, the four-match India-Australia hockey series starting on August 15, and congratulated Ranj Gautam, owner of Chennai Bulls, for winning the inaugural GMR Rugby Premier League. She thanked the Indian Society of Western Australia, the Federation of Indian Associations of Western Australia, and their member organizations for their commitment to community service.

CG Biswas who has strengthened engagement with the Indian diaspora in Western Australia since her appointment in July 2025, recognized the Indian diaspora’s contributions across science, business, education, and politics. As such, she mentioned Sharath Sriram, appointed as Chief Scientist of Western Australia; Custodio Vincent Lobo, awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia; Dr. Rajeshwary Krishnan, Australian Medical Association President’s Award recipient for her work with First Nation families; Renu Sharma, WA Women’s Hall of Fame inductee in STEM & Technical Trades; and Sindhu Nair, Multicultural Artist of the Year.

The reception featured cultural performances showcasing India’s heritage and was attended by dignitaries, including Yaz Mubarakai, MLA, representing the Premier of Western Australia; Trish Cook, MP; Liam Staltari MLA; Jagdish Krishnan, MLA; Parvinder Kaur, MLC; Rod Caddies, MLC; Sally Dawkins, Director DFAT; Jason O’Keefe, Lieutenant Colonel; Allan Adams, Deputy Police Commissioner; mayors, deputy mayors, city councilors; consular corps; and members of the Indian community and friends of India. 

Speaking on behalf of Premier Roger Cook, Mubarakai acknowledged the Indian community’s role in fostering multiculturalism and highlighted growing India-Western Australia ties, including the post-COVID delegation of 130 businesspeople to India and recognition of WA educational standards by Indian universities.

Among diplomatic attendees were Consul of Croatia, Zoran Šangut; Acting CG of China, Wang Fengzhong; CG of Indonesia, Irvan Bukhari; CG of Vietnam, Nguyễn Thanh Hà, and CG of Japan Atsushi Karimata. 

Speaking to South Asian Herald, CG Karimata said, “Quad nations reinforce an inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific, founded on mutual respect,” underscoring the importance of the Quad. Further, the Consul General expressed his anticipation of fostering deeper ties with India through the Indian Consulate in Perth. He also congratulated India on the Independence Day, describing the ICC as an impressive venue for the celebrations. 

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