From Georgy Zhukov to Emmanuel Macron: Take a look at the chief guests at the Republic Day Parade over the years
Amid tight security, Republic Day will be celebrated at the Kartavya Trail in the national capital with a captivating showcase of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage.
New Delhi: As India celebrates its 75th Republic Day on January 26 at Kartavya Path this year, take a look at how various world leaders have graced the occasion over the years. Some of the important world leaders include US President Barack Obama, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, due to the Covid pandemic, no chief guests were invited between 2021 and 2022. It is to be noted that this year, French President Emmanuel Macron will grace the occasion as the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.
This marks a unique two-way exchange following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France on his National Day in July 2023. This momentous visit by President Macron marks the culmination of the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.
This visit by President Macron marks the sixth time that a French leader has been invited as the chief guest on India's Republic Day. This tradition started with President Jacques Chirac in 1976, followed by Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1980, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 and François Hollande in 2016.
Here is a list of the most important guests over the years:
- 2023: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
- 2020: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro
- 2019: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
- 2018: Heads of states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). These include: Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei; Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia; Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia; Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Laos; Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia; Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counselor of Myanmar; Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines; Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore; Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand; Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam.
- 2017: Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- 2016: French President François Hollande
- 2015: US President Barack Obama
- 2014: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
- 2013: Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
- 2012: Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
- 2007: Russian President Vladimir Putin
- 2002: Mauritius President Cassam Uteem
- 1995: South African President Nelson Mandela
- 1971: Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere
- 1967: Afghan King Mohammed Zahir Shah
- 1961: British Queen Elizabeth
- 1960: Soviet President Kliment Voroshilo
- 1957: Soviet Union Defense Minister Georgy Zhukov
Amid tight security, Republic Day will be celebrated at the Kartavya Trail in the national capital with a captivating showcase of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage.
President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country in the grand celebrations on his journey of Amrit Kaal which started after the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence.