A vibrant traditional parade was the centerpiece of India’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Sunday.
Thousands of people gathered in the capital to watch the spectacle featuring the country’s missile systems, fighter jet flypasts, motorbike stunts and choreographed floats representing different Indian states.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Draupadi Murmu and other government officials and leaders.
“This occasion will strengthen our efforts to preserve the ideals of our Constitution and work towards a strong and prosperous India,” Modi wrote on social media platform X.
Strong relations between India and Indonesia
The chief guest was the visiting President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto. A 342-member band and marching contingent of the Indonesian National Armed Forces also joined the festivities, marking the first time that the country’s troops have participated in a foreign parade.
Prabowo’s two-day state visit to India is his first visit to the country after becoming President in 2024. India and Indonesia signed several agreements on cooperation in health, maritime security and digital technology.
Modi on Saturday said Indonesia was the guest country on India’s first Republic Day in 1950. At the time, Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president and leader of the country’s independence struggle, attended as the guest of honor.
Modi said it was a matter of “great pride” that Indonesia is again part of the parade.
Independence Day
India has a tradition of inviting foreign heads of state to watch the parade. French President Emmanuel Macron attended last year, and former US President Barack Obama attended in 2015.
Republic Day celebrations mark the anniversary of the official adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950, almost three years after independence from British colonial rule.
The parade took place on Rajpath Avenue, which was built by India’s former British rulers and was lined with expansive lawns, canals and trees.
The avenue was redeveloped as part of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence. In 2022, it was renamed Kartvayapath or Boulevard of Duty.
dh/nm (AP, AFP, Reuters)