World leaders today greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India on the 73rd Independence Day and described New Delhi as a close friend.<br />''  <br />'' Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering were among the first leaders to congratulate Prime Minister Modi.<br />'' <br />'' In a tweet, Ibrahim Mohamed  Solih said, India is the Maldives close friend and he shall continue working with the Indian government to further strengthen the ties between the two neighbours. <br />'' <br />'' The Nepalese Prime Minister said his country is delighted to observe India's rapid economic growth achieved over the past seven decades. <br />'' <br />'' The Bhutanese Prime Minister tweeted that he sees new chapters of friendship unfold for the two countries.<br />''  <br />