INS Sudarshini represents India at America’s 250th Independence Day Parade in New York; PM Modi extends greetings
INS Sudarshini represents India at America’s 250th Independence Day Parade. (Image courtesy: X/@IndianEmbassyUS)
New Delhi: INS Sudarshini represented India at the United States’ International Naval Review 250 and Sail4th 250 in New York, showcasing the country’s maritime heritage as it took part in the historic Parade of Sail. Narendra Modi, the prime minister, also congratulated the United States on its 250th Independence Day.
The Indian embassy in the United States, in a post on X, stated that the three-masted barque stood out as a symbol of India’s maritime heritage, flying the tricolour in the Parade of Sail on the Hudson River. It added that the tall ship continues participation in the SAIL4th 250 event after entering the Port of New York and New Jersey, having completed the SAIL 250 phase at Norfolk and Baltimore.
The ship is currently undertaking Lokayan 2026, a 10-month transoceanic expedition that began from Kochi and has already covered more than 13,000 nautical miles. During the voyage, INS Sudarshini was engaged in promoting friendship, naval cooperation and the spirit of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family) through maritime diplomacy.
PM Modi congratulates the United States
PM Narendra Modi congratulated the US president, Donald Trump and the American people on the historic 250th anniversary of the country’s independence. In a message shared on X, he extended greetings on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians and wished the US continued peace, prosperity and progress in the years ahead.
Modi added that India and the US share far more than a strategic partnership, describing democracy, the rule of law and the aspirations of their people as the foundation of the bilateral relationship. He expressed confidence that the next chapter of the India-US ties would bring even closer cooperation and greater benefits for both nations.
What is Sail4th 250?
Sail4th 250 is a flagship event commemorating the 250th anniversary of US independence. Organised in New York as part of nationwide celebrations, the event brought together tall ships, naval vessels and military aircraft from dozens of countries, highlighting international friendship, maritime heritage and cooperation among navies.
The centrepiece of the celebrations was the 16-mile naval procession, where 48 tall ships from 20 countries sailed through New York Harbor, passing iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty before heading towards the George Washington Bridge. The celebrations also featured an international naval review with more than 50 US and allied naval vessels anchored along the Hudson River, along with a large-scale aerial display led by the US navy’s Blue Angels and involving over 100 American and international aircraft. Together, the events marked one of the largest maritime and aerial gatherings in US history as the country celebrated 250 years of its independence.
