Chief Guests at the Republic Day Parade: India's Republic Day, observed annually on January 26th, holds a significant place in the hearts of every Indian, commemorating the historic moment when the nation's Constitution came into force in 1950, officially establishing India as a vibrant and thriving democratic republic. This grand occasion is marked by a spectacular Republic Day Parade in Delhi, where the nation comes together to honor its diverse heritage and values.
The Republic Day Parade, held on the iconic Rajpath, is a majestic display of India's military might, cultural diversity, and technological advancements. One of the most cherished aspects of this event is the presence of distinguished foreign leaders as Chief Guests, symbolizing the nation's robust diplomatic ties with various countries across the globe.
The tradition of inviting foreign dignitaries as Chief Guests began in 1950, with Indonesian President Sukarno being the first to grace this prestigious occasion. Since then, representatives from the United Kingdom and France have been extended this honor on five separate occasions, showcasing the enduring friendships between India and these nations.
Selecting the Chief Guest for India's Republic Day Parade is a meticulous process. Six months prior to the event, the Indian Government extends formal invitations to the Heads of State or Government from chosen countries, taking into consideration the bilateral relations shared with each nation. The final selection is subject to approval from the Indian Prime Minister and clearance from the President of India, highlighting the paramount importance of this invitation.
In recent times, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated adjustments to the scale of the event, with a limited number of attendees being allowed to witness the parade. As a heartwarming gesture, the Government of India has reserved the front row for special official invitees, including dedicated individuals like Shramjeevis, Kartavya Path maintenance workers, and members of the local community, such as rickshaw pullers and vegetable vendors. This focus on the "participation of the common people" resonates deeply with India's democratic ethos.
Republic Day is undoubtedly an opportunity to reflect on the journey of our nation, embracing the principles of democracy, diversity, and unity that have shaped our collective identity. This momentous occasion calls for remembrance of the brave souls who fought for India's independence and gratitude towards those who continue to contribute tirelessly to the nation's progress. Amidst the unfurling of the tricolor and the resounding chant of "Jai Hind" echoing across the nation, let us reaffirm our commitment to a brighter and more inclusive future, upholding the ideals of our Constitution.
Year | Guest Name | Country |
---|---|---|
1950 | President Sukarno | Indonesia |
1951 | King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah | Nepal |
1952 | No invitation | --- |
1953 | No invitation | --- |
1954 | King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck | Bhutan |
1955 | Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad | Pakistan |
1956 | Chancellor of the Exchequer R. A. Butler Chief Justice Kotaro Tanaka | United Kingdom Japan |
1957 | Minister of Defence Georgy Zhukov | Soviet Union |
1958 | Marshall Ye Jianying | China |
1959 | Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip | United Kingdom |
1960 | President Kliment Voroshilov | USSR |
1961 | Queen Elizabeth II | United Kingdom |
1962 | Prime Minister Viggo Kampmann | Denmark |
1963 | King Norodom Sihanouk | Cambodia |
1964 | Chief of Defence Staff Lord Louis Mountbatten | United Kingdom |
1965 | Food and Agriculture Minister Rana Abdul Hamid | Pakistan |
1966 | No invitation | No invitation |
1967 | King Mohammed Zahir Shah | Afghanistan |
1968 | Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin | USSR |
President Josip Broz Tito | SFR Yugoslavia | |
1969 | Prime Minister of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov | Bulgaria |
1970 | King of the Belgians Baudouin | Belgium |
1971 | President Julius Nyerere | Tanzania |
1972 | Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam | Mauritius |
1973 | President Mobutu Sese Seko | Zaire |
1974 | President Josip Broz Tito | SFR Yugoslavia |
Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike | Sri Lanka | |
1975 | President Kenneth Kaunda | Zambia |
1976 | Prime Minister Jacques Chirac | France |
1977 | First Secretary Edward Gierek | Poland |
1978 | President Patrick Hillery | Ireland |
1979 | Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser | Australia |
1980 | President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing | France |
1981 | President José López Portillo | Mexico |
1982 | King Juan Carlos I | Spain |
1983 | President Shehu Shagari | Nigeria |
1984 | King Jigme Singye Wangchuck | Bhutan |
1985 | President Raúl Alfonsín | Argentina |
1986 | Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou | Greece |
1987 | President Alan García | Peru |
1988 | President Junius Jayewardene | Sri Lanka |
1989 | General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh | Viet Nam |
1990 | Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth | Mauritius |
1991 | President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom | Maldives |
1992 | President Mário Soares | Portugal |
1993 | Prime Minister John Major | United Kingdom |
1994 | Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong | Singapore |
1995 | President Nelson Mandela | South Africa |
1996 | President Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso | Brazil |
1997 | Prime Minister Basdeo Panday | Trinidad and Tobago |
1998 | President Jacques Chirac | France |
1999 | King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev | Nepal |
2000 | President Olusegun Obasanjo | Nigeria |
2001 | President Abdelaziz Bouteflika | Algeria |
2002 | President Cassam Uteem | Mauritius |
2003 | President Mohammed Khatami | Iran |
2004 | President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva | Brazil |
2005 | King Jigme Singye Wangchuck | Bhutan |
2006 | King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud[ | Saudi Arabia |
2007 | President Vladimir Putin | Russia |
2008 | President Nicolas Sarkozy | France |
2009 | President Nursultan Nazarbayev | Kazakhstan |
2010 | President Lee Myung Bak | Republic of Korea |
2011 | President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono | Indonesia |
2012 | Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra | Thailand |
2013 | King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck | Bhutan |
2014 | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe | Japan |
2015 | President Barack Obama | United States |
2016 | President François Hollande | France |
2017 | Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed | United Arab Emirates |
2018 | Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Joko Widodo Thongloun Sisoulith Prime Minister Hun Sen Najib Razak President Htin Kyaw Rodrigo Roa Duterte Halimah Yacob Prayuth Chan-ocha Nguyễn Xuân Phúc | Brunei Indonesia Laos Cambodia Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam |
2019 | President Cyril Ramaphosa | South Africa |
2020 | President Jair Bolsonaro | Brazil |
2021 | Prime Minister Boris Johnson (cancelled his visit) | United Kingdom |
2022 | - | - |
2023 | President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi | Egypt |