World leaders who graced Republic Day fete in the past as chief guests

As India is gearing up for 71st Republic Day celebrations on January 26, buzz around chief guest for ceremony has already started. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, chief guest for Republic Day parade, is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on January 24 for a four-day state visit to India.

Bolsonaro will hold talks with President Ramnath Kovind next day followed by talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will also address business leaders of both countries at India-Brazil business forum on January 27 as both countries are looking to seal 20 pacts across defence, agriculture, healthcare, and mineral.

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Global leaders gracing event

Since 1950, India has been inviting global leaders for Republic Day celebrations as chief guest every year, barring 1952, 1953, and 1966. Indonesian President Sukar was first foreign leader to attend India’s Republic Day ceremony as chief guest in 1950.

In PM Modi’s first term, former President of United States Barack Obama was chief guest in 2015, while former French President François Hollande was chief guest in following year. India’s attempt to strengn ties with United Arab Emirates was visible when in 2017 Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended Republic Day parade as a chief guest.

Read: Republic Day: Major Nikhil Maurya,Tarun Rae To Lead Parachute Regiment At Parade

Last year, leaders of all members of Association of Souast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were invited for Republic Day parade as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Act East’ policy. leaders included Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, among or leaders of South-East Asian countries.

Or important personalities who graced event in past include Queen Elizabeth II in 1961, UK’s Chief of Defence Staff Lord Louis Mountbatten in 1964, Nelson Mandela in 1995, Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2007 and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe in 2014. 

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