Home From The Sidelines India Celebrates 74th Republic Day

India Celebrates 74th Republic Day

India celebrated its 74th Republic Day on a refurbished ceremonial avenue in New Delhi, the capital of India,  along with the President of Egypt, H. E. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the guest of honor. The public holiday marks the anniversary of the aoption of India’s Constitution in 1950, three years after the country’s independence and the recognition of India as a sovereign republic. 

The parade included marching bands, and troops from the country’s military, border, and police forces, who displayed the country’s military prowess and marched in perfect synchrony towards the dais where H.E. Draupadi Murmu, President of India took the salute. Her Egyptian Counterpart, el Sisi, dressed in a blue suit and matching tie looked on, flanked by President Murmu and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. 

The rich and diverse heritage of the country was showcased through vibrant illustrations from various ministries and states and highlighted the central theme of ‘nari shakti’ or power.   The tableaux of the army comprised only locally-made weapons is driving India to become more resilient in the defence sector. The climax of the event was marked by 45 aircraft of the Indian Air Force flying past with French-made Rafales, Russian-made Su-30s and the Indian-made Tejas fighter jets in a spectacular aeronautical display.

El Sisi became the first Egyptian President to be invited to attend Republic Day Celebrations. On Wednesday, 25th January, the President congratulated the Indians and expressed that it was a privilege to be the guest of honor on such a glorious national day. He further added that the relationship between India and Egypt has been characterized by balance and stability. The engagement between the nations has shown only constructive development. The evolution of this relationship is very positive according to El Sisi. 

India and Egypt are long-term trade partners and this year they are seeking closer ties with each other mainly in terms of security. The Republic Day parade also included a march by 144 member contingent of the Egyptian Army Forces. Later, the special forces of the two nations are also slated to hold joint military exercises in the cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur, in the desert state of Rajasthan in western India. 

Recently, Cairo has ordered a large import of wheat from India to supplement its dwindling food supply situation, and to bolster their food security.  

President El Sisi’s last visit to India was in 2015 to attend and participate in the third India Africa Forum Summit and in September 2016 on a State Visit. Egypt and India, both are celebrating their 75th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Egypt has also been invited as a ‘guest country’ during the presidency of India in the G20 in 2022-2023.