The 77th Republic Day celebrations began with grand festivities at Kartavya Path of New Delhi on Monday which included an impressive aerial demonstration performed by the Indian Air Force. IAF helicopters flying overhead carried the flag of Operation Sindoor which represents India’s military strength and joint defence capabilities.

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in a ceremonial buggy which she displayed with the Tricolour after her arrival. The Republic Day celebrations had European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa as their principal guests for this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to deceased soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial near India Gate before the parade. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh and Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi accompanied him.

A total of 30 tableaux—which 17 States and Union Territories and 13 Ministries and Departments presented—rolled down Kartavya Path. The central themes of the event which included “Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram” and “Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat” displayed 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram through Indian cultural achievements which described the country’s path to self-reliance and development.

The Tri-Services tableau at the parade displayed Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness which demonstrated how Army, Navy, and Air Force units worked together without any breaks in their operations. The parade displayed advanced native defense systems which were built in the country together with marching units from prestigious regiments and showed historic achievements through women officers who led their groups and demonstrated special activities that included animal-based units and drone systems.

The Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path remains a strong demonstration of India’s constitutional principles and military preparedness and cultural variety and expanding international influence.