Namaste India

Republic Day parade refers to the grand parade on Rajpath, New Delhi, held on 26 January every year. The parade showcases India’s Defense Capability, Cultural and Social Heritage.

 India has a tradition of hosting a head of state or government of another country as the state guest of honour at the Republic Day parade. The guest country is chosen by deliberation, economic, strategic and political interests. 

Below are the leaders who were invited in the last decade. 

2005: King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Bhutan

President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam saluting from the rostrum, with Chief Guest of Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on the occasion of Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2005.

 

2006: King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Saudi Arabia  

         

President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam with the Chief Guest King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the Republic Day Parade  in New Delhi on January 26, 2006.

 

2007: President Vladimir Putin, Russia

President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam with the chief guest, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir V Putin and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh arrive for the 58th Republic Day Parade  in New Delhi on January 26, 2007.

 

2008: President Nicolas Sarkozy, France

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil with the Chief Guest President of France Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the 59th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2008.

 

2009: President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Chief Guest, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan,  Nursultan Nazarbayev being received by the Defence Minister AK Antony, at the 60th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2009.

 

2010: President Lee Myung Bak, South Korea

President of Korea and Chief Guest of Republic Day, Lee Myung Bak and President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil being received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony, Minister of State of Defence MM Pallam Raju and Three Service Chiefs, on their arrival at the celebration of the 61st Republic day in New Delhi on January 26, 2010.

 

2011: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesia

Chief Guest President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr H Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President Pratibha Devisingh Patil being received by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on their arrival at the 62nd Republic day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26, 2011.

2012: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand     

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Chief Guest, Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, arrive at the Salami Manch on the occasion of 63rd Republic day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26, 2012.

 

2013: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Bhutan

President Pranab Mukherjee and Chief Guest for the Republic Day, the King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck being received by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister AK Antony, at Salami Manch, on the occasion of 64th Republic day celebrations at Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26, 2013.

2014: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan

Chief Guest Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan and President Pranab Mukherjee being received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, at the 65th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on January 26, 2014.