India celebrates 77th Republic Day with military, cultural displays
The ceremony was also attended by European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
India marked its 77th Republic Day today (26 January) with a display of military hardware and cultural heritage at Kartavya Path.
The ceremony, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, was themed around the 150th anniversary of the national song, "Vande Mataram."
India's President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the event. The ceremony was also attended by European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as chief guests.
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Murmu reached the parade site in a ceremonial buggy, accompanied by the EU leaders, adding significant diplomatic weight to the proceedings.
For the first time, Indian Army contingents marched in a combat-ready "battle array formation," intended to demonstrate operational preparedness.
The parade showcased several major defence platforms, including the BrahMos missile system, Akash air defence, Suryastra rocket systems, and Arjun main battle tanks.
A notable segment of the parade included mock-ups of weapon systems and units that were deployed during last year's 88-hour conflict, named "Operation Sindoor" in May 2025.
This included a tri-services tableau linked to the military campaign against targets in Pakistan and advanced missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The flypast featured fighter aircraft and helicopters, while the ground parade included a European Union military team.
This team comprised four flag bearers carrying the flags of the European Union, the EU military staff, and the naval forces Atalanta and Aspides.
Cultural and developmental tableaux
A total of 30 tableaux – 17 from states and territories and 13 from various ministries – travelled down the parade route. These displays highlighted India's cultural diversity and modern progress, ranging from Assam's terracotta heritage to Kerala's Water Metro and digital literacy initiatives.
A special Bollywood-themed tableau, celebrating the history and global impact of the Indian film industry, was also featured.
The cultural segment included traditional dance performances from across the country, with participants wearing vibrant regional attire.
The event took place under stringent security, with 30,000 personnel deployed across New Delhi and extensive drone surveillance in place.
The presence of top EU leadership was highlighted as a mark of strengthening ties. In a social media post, Ursula von der Leyen described the invitation as an honour, stating that a stable and prosperous India benefits the global community.
Earlier in the day, Modi placed a wreath at the National War Memorial to pay tribute to fallen soldiers.
The formal ceremony began shortly after with the unfurling of the national flag, followed by the national anthem and a traditional gun salute.
