Photos: India and Pakistan Celebrate 70 Years of Independence

August 16th, 2017

Indian girls look at a mobile phone prior to taking part during Independence Day celebrations in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad, on August 15, 2017. (Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty)

Pakistani students hold national flags during a ceremony at the mausoleum of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah to mark the country's Independence Day in Karachi on August 14. (Asif Hassan/AFP/Getty)

Pakistani Rangers (black) and Indian Border Security Force personnel (brown) perform during the daily beating of the retreat ceremony at the India-Pakistan Wagah Border Post on August 14, 2017. (Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty)

Pakistani Wing Commander Bilal (2L) presents sweets to Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Commandant Sudeep (4R) during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post on August 14, 2017. (Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty)

Indian children dressed as the Hindu deities Krishna and Radha attend an event at a school in Amritsar on August 12, 2017, ahead of Indian Independence Day on August 15. (Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty)

Pakistani residents march during a rally to mark the country's Independence Day in Karachi on August 14, 2017. (Rizwan Tabassum/AFP/Getty)

An Indian girl holds a flag during Independence Day celebrations in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad, on August 15, 2017. (Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty)

Pakistani youths sing a song after a flag hoisting ceremony to mark the country's Independence Day in Islamabad on August 14, 2017. (Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty)

Indian students perform a dance during a ceremony to mark India's 70th Independence Day celebrations at the India-Pakistan Wagah border post on August 15, 2017. (Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty)

Youths wear masks as they march on a street in Islamabad on August 13, 2017, to mark the country's Independence Day. (Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty)

Indian students dressed as Punjabi giddha dancers apply each other's makeup during a full dress rehearsal for the 70th Independence Day, at Guru Nanak Stadium in Amritsar on August 13, 2017. (Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty)

Pakistani residents carry a national flag as they drive around to mark the country's Independence Day in Karachi on August 14, 2017. (Asif Hassan/AFP/Getty)

Indian women take a selfie in front of a large national flag at Sudha Cars Museum in Hyderabad, on August 14, 2017. (Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty)

Pakistani residents carry a huge flag during a rally to mark the country's Independence Day in Karachi on August 14, 2017. (Asif Hassan/AFP/Getty)

An Indian student gets their palm painted with the Indian national flag and country map at an event during Indian Independence Day celebrations in Chennai on August 15, 2017. (Arun Sankar/AFP/Getty)

Pakistani residents march during a rally to mark the country's Independence Day in Peshawar on August 14, 2017. (Abdul Majeed/AFP/Getty)

Indian women take part in a rally to mark 70 years since India's independence in Hyderabad on August 12, 2017, ahead of Indian Independence Day on August 15. (Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty)

An aerobatic team performs during celebrations to mark Pakistan's Independence Day in Karachi on August 14, 2017. (Rizwan Tabassum/AFP/Getty)

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Seventy years ago this week, Great Britain ceded control over India as it was partitioned into two new independent states: Hindu-majority India, and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Ever since, Pakistan has celebrated its Independence Day on August 14 and India on August 15 (in accordance with when the respective ceremonies were held in 1947). The above photos depict celebrations across each country this week, as well as joint-ceremonies involving both.

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About the Author

Eric Fish was a Content Producer at Asia Society New York and is author of the book China's Millennials: The Want Generation.

@ericfish85