Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India would mark August 14 as a memorial day for the deadly violence that broke out when the country was divided into two nations after gaining independence from Britain. 

The day would be celebrated as "Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas," or "Partition Horrors Remembrance Day," in memory of the India-Pakistan split.

Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day on August 14, and India celebrates it on August 15. 

"May the #PartitionHorrorsRemembranceDay keep reminding us of the need to remove the poison of social divisions, disharmony and further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment," Modi said on Twitter. 

The India-Pakistan partition

The former British colony of India was divided into two independent nations, Muslim-dominated Pakistan and predominantly Hindu India, in 1947, as both gained freedom from imperial rule. 

The partition prompted religious riots, with 1 million killed and tens of thousands displaced. Women and children were disproportionately affected during the violence. India and Pakistan have also fought multiple wars since gaining independence.

While diplomatic progress has been made in recent years, relations have remained tense between the two South Asian neighbors.