AR Rahman's 'Jai Ho' resonates at US 250th Independence Day celebrations in Delhi
New Delhi, May 24
Oscar-winning composer and music maestro AR Rahman delivered a stirring performance at the 250th US Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi, with his iconic anthem 'Jai Ho' emerging as the highlight of the evening.
The US gained independence from Britain on July 4, 1776.
The grand event, hosted by the US Embassy in India, brought together senior diplomats, political leaders, business representatives and cultural figures in a showcase of the growing India-US partnership. Among the prominent dignitaries present were External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador Sergio Gor.
Rahman's electrifying rendition of 'Jai Ho' received a rousing response from guests, with the performance symbolising the cultural bridge between India and the United States. The composer also performed a medley of his celebrated tracks like 'Dil Se', 'Muqabla', and 'Fanaa'.
The celebration formed part of Rubio's ongoing India visit, which includes high-level diplomatic engagements and meetings with Indian leadership.
Speaking at the event, US Ambassador Sergio Gor shared, "America first does not mean America alone. And every week, we identify opportunities that are win-win situations for both of our nations. I'm especially proud that this spring our embassy brought a record-breaking delegation, which will continue over the weeks and months ahead, as we continue our work here in India..."
Notably, Rubio is currently on a four-day visit to India, during which he will be attending the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the national capital.
India is gearing up to host the security dialogue in the national capital to deliberate on the evolving security matrix of the Indo-Pacific and the escalating friction points across West Asia.
The high-level congregation of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue - bringing together India, the United States, Australia, and Japan - is locked in for May 26 under the chairmanship of EAM Jaishankar.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Beautiful to see AR Rahman performing at such a prestigious event. 'Jai Ho' truly is a global anthem now. But let's not forget - while we celebrate cultural ties, we must also ensure India's strategic interests are protected in these Quad meetings and diplomatic engagements. Not everything should be about photo-ops.
As an American living in Delhi, this event was incredible! Seeing AR Rahman perform 'Jai Ho' at our 250th Independence Day celebration was a reminder of how music transcends borders. The India-US partnership is truly special, and I'm glad my country recognizes the importance of these cultural bridges. 🇺🇸❤️🇮🇳
While AR Rahman's performance is indeed a proud moment, I can't help but think about the irony - celebrating US independence while many Indians still struggle for basic freedoms and equality at home. Let's enjoy the cultural moment but also focus on improving our own democratic fabric. Jai Ho indeed, but for all Indians! 🙏
Impressive lineup - Jaishankar, Rubio, and AR Rahman all at the same event! This shows how far India-US relations have come. 'Jai Ho' was the perfect choice; it's a song about victory and unity. Looking forward to seeing concrete outcomes from the Quad meeting on May 26. The Indo-Pacific needs strong partnerships.
Can we talk about Ambassador Gor's comment? "America first does not mean America alone" - that's refreshing to hear from
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.