Article by Ambassador Abhishek Shukla in Politika on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day of India

India is today celebrating her 80th Independence Day.

India’s independence from British colonial rule on 15th Aug 1947 was accompanied by much joy and trepidation, and also by immense sorrow and heartbreak as the nation suffered partition along with freedom. The newly independent nation inherited a fragmented geography, severe economic stagnation, and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. A civilizational state with more than five thousand years of continuity and an unmatchable treasure trove of civilizational wisdom was yet again at the cusp of a new dawn, looking at a new horizon to build a modern republic fitting its stature and ambitions, and regain its place in the comity of nations. An independent India was attempting a tryst with destiny, as famously stated by India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Ponder for a moment upon the enormity of challenges at the crack of independence. Adult literacy was a measly 12-18%, life expectancy around 32 years, the industrial base was negligible, and the agrarian economy was battered by famine and inordinate demands imposed by the 2nd World War efforts of the colonial powers, more than 550 Princely states were to be integrated into the Union of India, 10-15 million people displaced by partition were to be provided for. The inviolable sovereignty and territorial integrity of a newly independent nation also had to be secured at all costs.

Above all, the nation had to stand on its own and Indians had to regain their confidence and pride.

Fast forward to the present and the fruits of the nation building endeavour are more than evident. 

India's unparallel political foundation, built on an unbroken heritage of democratic governance spanning more than three millennia enabled the success of the largest democracy on earth. India’s last general elections in 2024 saw nearly 970 million registered voters, a voting population 1.3 times that of Europe and 2.15 times that of the EU.

India's 2023 G20 presidency embedded the ancient Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam- the world is one family, into an actionable framework by enabling permanent membership of the 55-nation African Union. The Voice of Global South Summits brought together leaders from over 125 developing countries and embedded the aspirations of the Global South in fields like food security, debt relief, and climate finance into the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. 

During the painful times of the Covid-19 pandemic, India deployed its resources and its strength as the world’s largest vaccine producer for global good. Under its Vaccine Maitri (Vaccine Friendship) initiative, India shipped COVID-19 vaccines to nearly 100 countries, and essential medicines to more than 150 nations.

India recorded an average real GDP growth rate exceeding 8% over the last five years. This was remarkably scored in the face of serious geo-economic turbulences and geo-political disturbances. This was accompanied by concrete grass-root empowerment. About 248 million Indians were lifted out of multi-dimensional poverty between 2013–14 and 2022–23. India’s financial inclusion drive saw the opening of over 500 million bank accounts, connecting the last mile directly to welfare delivery without leakage. Enabling more than 850 million users to connect to internet at world’s cheapest rates unlocked grass-roots entrepreneurial spirits.

India now has more than 160 airports, 65,000 kms rail tracks, 1,000 kms of urban rail transit systems, 26,000 kms of gas pipeline network, and 520 GW of installed power capacity with a total renewable capacity at more than 279 GW, hitting its global climate commitment a full five years ahead of schedule. India is projected to spend nearly US$1.72 trillion on infrastructure through 2030. India’s manufacturing prowess is exemplified by the fact that it is now the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world.

India’s unique Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) revolution based upon ‘India Stack’ has unleashed unprecedented growth drivers. UPI (Unified Payments Interface), India's real-time payments system processed 228.5 billion transactions in 2025 alone. India now accounts for roughly 49% of the world's real-time digital payments.

India, home to the world's largest youth population with about 65% of its people under the age of 35, is also the world’s leading hub for Global Capability Centers (GCCs) with over 1,700 centres. India boasts the 3rd largest start-up ecosystem globally with more than 200,000 start-ups and about 125 active unicorns. 

From its nascent space programme in 1963 when rocket parts to launch sites were carried by bicycle and bullock cart to Chandrayaan-3 (Moon Mission)'s 2023 landing on the Moon’s South Pole, a first for any nation, India’s space prowess has come a long way. The successful launch last month of Vikram-1 by Skyroot Aerospace placed India among an elite group of nations with proven private orbital rocket launch capabilities. The India AI Impact Summit held in February this year and attended by President Aleksandar Vucic led to important breakthroughs.

The Road Ahead for India-Serbia Bilateral Relations 

As we celebrate in a fortnight the 65th anniversary of the consequential 1961 Belgrade Summit culminating in the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), it is but fitting to remind ourselves of the shared values that inspired us.

From being partners earlier in the days of Non-Aligned Movement to walking together presently in the cohort of Global South, India and Serbia have shared converging views on many global issues and supported each other in international fora. The relationship is grounded in traditional friendship, mutual trust and respect. At a time when resilience and trustworthiness reign supreme in global affairs, deep-rooted bilateral relationships like the one between India and Serbia become more than just advantageous—they become essential.