NEW DELHI, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- India on Thursday displayed its military might at a parade in the heart of the national capital as it celebrated its 68th Republic Day.
The grand parade was witnessed by President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the chief guest at this year's Republic Day ceremony.
A flypast by Indian Air Force choppers marked the commencement of the parade. Subsequently, a number of contingents from three wings of the Indian armed forces, the Army, Navy and Air Force, marhced past the parade.
As a special gesture, a military contingent of the United Arab Emirates also marched at the grand parade, becoming the first to participate in such an event in India.
At the parade, India also showcased its culture from across the country as tableux from 17 out of 29 states went past Rajpath, where the celebrations took place. The Indian Finance Ministry also displayed a tableux at the event.
India became a Republic on Jan. 26, 1950, when its Constitution came into force.
