India observes 69th Republic Day

India today displayed its military muscle, socio-cultural diversity and its unprecedented outreach to South East Asian countries as it celebrated the 69th Republic Day with a grand parade at the Rajpath in New Delhi, the principal promenade of the Indian capital. 

In a first, 10 heads of state and government from ASEAN countries were chief guests at the annual pageant that also showcased two tableaux depicting India's historical trade, religious and cultural linkages with South East Asia and signaling India's fast growing strategic ties with South East Asia.

Indian school children perform during India's 69th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2018. Photo: PRAKASH SINGH / AFP

The presence of the ASEAN leaders was unprecedented and reflective of India's stature as a major power in a region where China has been trying to expand its footprints.

Top opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, president of Congress party, was also present at the Republic Day function, a day after a controversy had erupted as his party was upset over his allocation of seat in the fourth row instead of front row.

At the parade, the Indian Army's T-90 tank, Brahmos missiles, multiple weapon-locating radar, bridge-laying tank T-72, mobile base transceiver station and Akash missile weapon system were on display and formed the main draw.

Smartly-turned out contingents of the Army, the Navy and the Indian Air Force contingent, paramilitary and other auxiliary civil forces including the Border Security Force which guards borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan, Sashastra Seema Bal guarding the border with Nepal, Indo Tibetan Border Police keeping a vigil on the frontier with China marched down the Rajpath.

The theme of Indian Navy's tableau was its combat readiness and combat potential of the multi-dimensional force of the 21st century.

The Indian Air Force tableau rolled down the parade venue with the theme of indigenisation and the models displayed in the tableau were Tejas multirole fighter aircraft, helicopter, radar and Akash missile system. 

The grand finale of the parade was a spectacular fly-past by the IAF which included an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft also known as "Eye in the Sky" followed by the 'Globe formation' comprising one C-17 Globemaster flanked by two Sukhoy-30 fighter aircraft.

India is celebrating its 69th Republic Day on January 26, 2018. In the AFP file photo, Indian fighter jets fly past during the full dress rehearsal for the Indian Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 23, 2018. Photo: MONEY SHARMA / AFP

While India has always hosted a chief guest from abroad at its Republic Day parade in the national capital. This is the first time that 10 heads of state and government from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were chief guests in sync with New Delhi's 'Act East Policy' .

The parade exercise started at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial of Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in for the country, at the India Gate where Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying homage by laying a wreath. An eternal flame burns at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to commemorate the indomitable courage of Indian armed forces personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland.

As per tradition, after unfurling of the national flag, the national anthem was played with a 21-gun salute following which the parade began with President Ram Nath Kovind taking the salute from a dais.

President Kovind and Modi were accompanied on the dais by Prime Ministers Thongloun Sisoulith of Lao, Nguyễn Xuân Phúc of Vietnam, State Counsellor of Myanmar Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha of Thailand, Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia, Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, Hun Sen of Cambodia, Presidents Rodrigo Roa Duterte of Philippines, Joko Widodo of Indonesia and Prime Minister of Brunei, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah.

The marching contingents started with flag-bearer contingent bearing the ASEAN and 10 ASEAN countries' flags followed by an Indian army band.

Tableaux from 14 Indian states and federally-administered territories, federal ministries, departments and paramilitary force showcased varied historical, art and cultural heritage of the country, progress in different fields. The floats of All India Radio, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Income Tax Department showcased some of the flagship programmes of the government.

Eighteen children, including seven girls selected for the National Bravery Award–2017 also joined the parade. The ceremony will culminate with the national anthem and release of balloons.