India, Pakistan - 70 years of freedom

Millions of people across India on Monday marked the country's liberation from the British Raj. The celebrations included dances, parades and ceremonies on all levels of society. India became independent on August 15, 1947 - a day after Pakistan declared its independence.

In keeping with tradition, Indian PM Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag and addressed the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, a famous 17th-century monument in the capital New Delhi. Wearing a short-sleeved white kurta and a red, pink and yellow turban, the leader said the world's largest democracy was moving from "swaraj," or self rule in Hindi, to "suraj," or good governance.

The premier used the speech to boast about the achievements of his government, citing progress in various areas such as the economy, financial inclusion, health and rural development. Modi also said his government had built over 20 million toilets and brought electricity to thousands of villages in the world's second most populous nation.

All is not well in India, however, with growing fears over rising intolerance and a lack of social harmony, particularly after recent attacks on low-caste Dalits and Muslims by extremists. Stressing that a strong nation cannot be built without a strong society which is based on social justice, Modi advocated a "tough and sensitive" approach to tackle problems like 'castism' or 'untouchability.'

As the celebrations were underway, Indian-administered Kashmir witnessed a new series of gun battles when suspected militants attacked a police station in the territory. It resulted in the killing of at least one paramilitary soldier and four suspected rebels. Several government troops were also wounded.

Kashmir has seen violent protests in recent days following the killing of a militant commander by Indian security forces. At least 54 people have so far been killed and thousands hurt in clashes with the government troops. In his speech, however, PM Modi made no mention of the situation in Kashmir.

Nevertheless, the Indian prime minister made a general appeal for an end to violence, underlining that India "will never tolerate terrorism." Furthermore, he criticized Pakistan, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

Modi also alluded to Pakistan's Balochistan province and the part of Kashmir under Islamabad's control. Pakistan's Balochistan province has seen unrest in recent years. "The world is watching. People of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have thanked me a lot in the past few days … it is a moment of pride that these people have looked out to India for support," Modi said.

Modi's remarks come after Pakistan dedicated its Independence Day this year to highlight the Kashmir conflict, with Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain talking about India-administered Kashmir in his address a day earlier. The Kashmir dispute continues to beset the relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors, which have fought two of their three wars since independence over the territory.

After Modi's speech, Pakistan formally invited India for talks on the disputed Himalayan region, stating that it's an "international obligation" on the part of both the countries to resolve the dispute. It's yet unclear how the Indian government would respond to this invitation.