Mbabane – H.E. Ajay Kumar Sharma, Charge d’Affaires at the Indian High Commission in Mbabane, spoke to Independent News Digital Editor, Adekunle Owolabi during the 77th Republic Day celebrations on Monday about the significance of the day and the growing partnership between India and Eswatini.
“Okay, first of all thank you Mr. for your coming and sparing time to join our celebrations of our 77th Republic Day. India got independence on 15th August 1947. But at that time we don’t have our constitution. After the independence the constitution body was formatted and Indian constitution was completed in November 1949 and it was enacted on 26 January 1950. Since then every year we are celebrating the Republic Day on 26 January and this is a given the power because it means that every power lies in the people in the constitution,” Mr Sharma told Owolabi.
He explained that the Constitution grants rights and duties to citizens, ensuring equality. “Constitution has given the means rights as well as fundamental duties also, but as per our constitution all power rests in the Constitution of India. It gives equality to every person,” he added. 
Mr Sharma also spoke about the cultural displays during the celebrations, which included performances by children and members of the Indian diaspora. “Today has been amazing. We’ve seen quite a lot of display of Indian culture today, especially from the young kids singing, dancing and showing us the richness in Indian culture,” he said.
When asked about India-Eswatini relations and the opening of a resident Eswatini mission in India, he said: “India is a culturally very rich country and it’s a part of our life, and people all over the world are watching our culture. Now this year we are also celebrating the 150th anniversary of our national song Vande Mataram. You might have seen two, three people have already done the performance of this one.”
He reflected on the progress since the opening of the Indian High Commission in Eswatini in 2019. “After our High Commission of India was opened in 2019, there has been a lot of improvement at the political level, cultural level, education and medical. But our trade relations are not up to the real potential. Still we are working very hard and hope that now the resident mission has been opened in India. Now this will give further momentum to our trade relations as well as our political relations also,” Mr Sharma told Owolabi.
The celebrations brought together members of the Indian community, friends of India and officials from the Kingdom, and featured cultural performances, speeches by children, and displays of Indian music and dance.
