India, Modi mark Republic Day with Indonesia’s Prabowo
Parading tanks, soldiers and motorbike stunts celebrated 76 years since India adopted its constitution after independence from Britain
India celebrated its 76th Republic Day on Sunday with a colourful parade displaying its military might and cultural diversity on a boulevard in the heart of the country’s capital. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the guest of honour.
Tens of thousands of people lined the road on a cold Sunday morning to watch the long parade to mark the anniversary of the official adoption of India’s Constitution on January 26, 1950, nearly three years after independence from British colonial rule.
Soldiers from India’s military and paramilitary, along with their bands, marched as the country’s leaders and other guests watched. Various floats displayed India’s cultural diversity with one showcasing the Maha Kumbh festival, the ongoing massive Hindu festival touted as the world’s largest religious gathering.
The parade took place on Rajpath Avenue, built by India’s former British rulers and lined by huge gardens, canals and rows of trees. The avenue was redeveloped as part of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Indian independence and renamed Kartavayapath, or the Boulevard of Duty, in 2022.
Prabowo was flanked by India’s President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A 342-member band and marching contingent from the Indonesian National Armed Forces joined the parade, the first time the Asean country’s troops have joined any foreign parade.
India traditionally invites foreign leaders to witness the spectacle. French President Emmanuel Macron was the guest of honour last year and former US President Barack Obama in 2015. Ten Southeast Asian leaders watched the parade in 2018.