India and Pakistan celebrate 70th anniversary

India today celebrates its 70^th year of independence since the end of the British Raj, and it also marks the creation of Pakistan on 14 August 1947.

Indian PM Modi will speak at light festivals and flag parades in Delhi, and Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will preside over military air shows in Islamabad this week as the countries revel in their anniversary celebrations.

Schools across India will today participate in flag raising ceremonies, where children will pledge oaths to the nation.

Chinese Vice-premier, Wang Yang, will attend an inauguration ceremony of projects in Islamabad related to the $US50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reports The Times of India.

Independence commemorations will also be held around the world by the two nation’s diaspora, including in Singapore, the UK and Australia, reports The Guardian.