Photo for representation. PTI
Every year on 26 January, Indian armed forces hold the Republic Day Parade along the Rajpath in New Delhi. The procession sets out from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan and leads past India Gate to the Red Fort. On this occasion, India invites global leaders to the Republic Day parade in an effort to strengthen international ties and demonstrate the richness and unity of Indian culture.
A number of leaders have attended India’s Republic Day celebrations since 1950 when the Constitution of India came into effect. President of Indonesia Sukarno was invited as the chief guest in the very first celebration. This year, after a hiatus of two years due to the pandemic, the nation is all set to organise a full-fledged Republic Day Parade and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will take the seat of the chief guest during the 74th celebration.
The chief guest is prominently featured in a number of ceremonial activities. The formal guard of honour is given to them at the Rashtrapati Bhavan as a mark of respect. Then, they attend an evening reception, hosted by the President of India. In honour of Mahatma Gandhi, the guests also lay a wreath at Rajghat. A special banquet is held and the Prime Minister hosts a lunch for them.
Here is a list of the notable global leaders who have earlier marked their presence in the annual Republic Day Parade:
Queen Elizabeth II (1961):
In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, made their first trip to India. On the invitation of the then-President Dr Rajendra Prasad, they were welcomed as the chief guests at the Republic Day Parade. This was the first trip by a British monarch since India gained freedom in 1947.
Nelson Mandela (1995):
Former South African President Nelson Mandela served as the guest of honour at the 46th Republic Day parade in 1995. During his four-day stay, he also visited Ahmedabad, where Mahatma Gandhi promulgated many of his ideas on nonviolence and self-help after coming back from South Africa.
Vladimir Putin (2007):
In 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the 58th Republic Day parade during the tenure of former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam. Putin arrived in the country for a two-day trip and its major focus was to rekindle ties between Russia and India.
Shinzo Abe (2014):
In 2014, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited India and took part in the Republic Day Parade as its chief guest. Following the visit, Abe became the only President of Japan to tour the country twice.
Barack Obama (2015):
In 2015, Barack Obama became the first-ever US President to participate in India’s Republic Day Parade. PM Modi welcomed Obama and First Lady Michelle on the day of the event.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2017):
The then crown prince of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was the guest of honour in the 2017 Republic Day Parade. PM Modi disregarded protocol and reached Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi to give him a warm welcome.
Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.