World leaders today greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India on the 73rd Independence Day and described New Delhi as a close friend.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering were among the first leaders to congratulate Prime Minister Modi.

In a tweet, Ibrahim Mohamed  Solih said, India is the Maldives close friend and he shall continue working with the Indian government to further strengthen the ties between the two neighbours.

The Nepalese Prime Minister said his country is delighted to observe India’s rapid economic growth achieved over the past seven decades.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister tweeted that he sees new chapters of friendship unfold for the two countries.