President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attended the celebrations as chief guests, marking a rare moment of European Union participation in India’s national event…reports Asian Lite News
India marked its 77th Republic Day on Monday with an impressive display of its cultural diversity, economic growth, and military prowess that included missiles, warplanes, newly-raised units and lethal weapon systems used during Operation Sindoor.
President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attended the celebrations as chief guests, marking a rare moment of European Union participation in India’s national event.
Although the overarching theme of the event was 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the Indian military’s Operation Sindoor too found prominence at the parade on the Kartavya Path, the centrepiece boulevard of the national capital.
The parade commenced with the President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute shortly after she, Costa and von der Leyen, flanked by the Indian president’s bodyguards, arrived at the Kartavya Path in a traditional buggy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior Union ministers, top military officials, foreign diplomats and civil servants were among those present.
The major weapon systems displayed included BrahMos and Akash weapon systems, rocket launcher ‘Suryastra’, Â Main Battle Tank Arjun and an array of indigenously-built military platforms and hardware.
Around 100 artistes heralded the parade, on the theme ‘Vividata Mein Ekta (Unity in Diversity) that featured a grand presentation of musical instruments, demonstrating the nation’s unity and rich cultural diversity. The parade then began with President Murmu taking the salute.
The parade was led by Parade Commander Lt General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, a second-generation officer.
A tri-services tableau showcasing replicas of major weapon systems deployed by the Indian military during Operation Sindoor in early May was a major attraction.
A glass-cased integrated operational centre, depicting the conduct of Operation Sindoor with the use of weapons systems such as BrahMos and S-400 missiles rolled down Kartavya Path.
For the first time, the parade showcased a phased ‘Battle Array Format’ of the Indian Army, including its aerial component.
The recce element consisted of the 61 Cavalry in active combat uniform. It was followed by a high mobility reconnaissance vehicle.
Providing aerial support was the indigenous Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and its armed version, Rudra, in Prahar formation, demonstrating battlefield shaping.
The combat elements then followed with T-90 Bhisma and Main Battle Tank Arjun rolling past the saluting dais with aerial support from Apache AH-64E and Prachand light combat helicopters.
Other mechanised columns included BMP-II Infantry Combat Vehicle, along with Nag missile system (Tracked) Mk-2.
A military contingent from the EU, carrying the military staff flag and flags of Operations Atalanta and Aspides, the naval operations of the grouping, also featured at the parade. It was the EU’s first participation in such an event outside of Europe.
Among the major weapon systems showcased at the parade were Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher System (URLS), Brahmos Supersonic cruise missiles and Akash missile systems.
