58 years of Indian democracy-President Obama's Statement:

[obama democrat]

Today is India Republic Day, the 58th anniversary of India's
independence and the adoption of its Constitution.

Yesterday, President Barack Obama released a statement commemorating
the holiday. He also sent well wishes to India's Prime Minister,
Manmohan Singh, who is recovering from heart surgery.

"As the people of India and people of Indian origin in America and
around the world celebrate Republic Day on January 26, I send the
warmest greetings of the American people to the people of India.
Together, we celebrate our shared belief in democracy, liberty,
pluralism, and religious tolerance.

"Our nations have built broad and vibrant partnerships in every field
of human endeavor. Our rapidly growing and deepening friendship with
India offers benefits to all the world's citizens as our scientists
solve environmental challenges together, our doctors discover new
medicines, our engineers advance our societies, our entrepreneurs
generate prosperity, our educators lay the foundation for our future
generations, and our governments work together to advance peace,
prosperity, and stability around the globe.

"It is our shared values that form the bedrock of a robust
relationship across peoples and governments. Those values and ideals
provide the strength that enables us to meet any challenge,
particularly from those who use violence to try to undermine our free
and open societies. As the Indian people celebrate Republic Day all
across India, they should know that they have no better friend and
partner than the people of the United States. It is in that spirit,
that I also wish Prime Minister Singh a quick recovery."