The Seattle skyline flared in new colors on Friday as the Indian Tricolor was hoisted atop the city’s iconic Space Needle for the very first time, marking India’s 79th Independence Day.

Indian exports to the US surged in recent months as companies rushed shipments ahead of potential tariff hikes announced by Donald Trump, a report said. Between April and July, exports to the US grew seven times faster than overall export growth.

India's equity benchmarks jumped more than 1% on Monday, after the government proposed sweeping changes to the complex goods and services tax regime, which will make daily essentials and electronics cheaper from October.

During his Friday speech, Modi also hinted India would continue its unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. The treaty, which India suspended after the April massacre, allows sharing of the Indus River that runs about 2,897 kilometers (1,800 miles) through South Asia and is a lifeline for both countries.

A median of 47% across the 24 countries have a favorable opinion of India, while a median of 38% have an unfavorable view.

Follow the rain-related updates from Mumbai, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and other parts of the country in The Hindu live blog on August 18, 2025.

As part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations, the Consulate General of India in Seattle, in partnership with the City of Seattle, organised the F.