New Delhi : Secretary (CPV & OIA) Sripriya Ranganathan attended the National Sovereignty Day celebrations of the Republic of Iraq as the Chief Guest .
Addressing the gathering, Ranganathan highlighted the long-standing civilisational linkages, historical connections and friendly relations between India and Iraq. She reaffirmed India’s commitment to further deepening and strengthening the India-Iraq bilateral partnership across areas of mutual interest.
National Sovereignty Day holds special significance for Iraq as it commemorates the country’s journey towards sovereign statehood and the independence of its national decision-making. The occasion also honours the sacrifices made by the Iraqi people in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and national unity. Iraqi authorities have marked the 2026 observance through commemorative programmes, cultural and public activities, including events honouring the country’s martyrs and victims. Cabinet IQ
The historical significance of Iraq’s sovereignty is closely associated with October 3, 1932, when the League of Nations admitted the Kingdom of Iraq as a member, making Iraq the first Arab country to join the international organisation at the time. The milestone marked the formal end of the British Mandate and Iraq’s recognition as a sovereign state. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The celebrations therefore serve not only as a reminder of Iraq’s historic journey towards sovereignty but also as an occasion to reaffirm the country’s commitment to independent national decision-making, constitutional governance, the rule of law, peace and stability.
For India, the occasion also provided an opportunity to underline the importance attached to its historic and people-centric relationship with Iraq and its desire to further expand bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, shared interests and enduring friendship.
Note: If this is specifically for publication, I recommend retaining “National Sovereignty Day celebrations” rather than calling it simply “National Day,” because the Iraqi Government’s 2026 communications use the former terminology.