Unprecedented in India's history, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries today attended the Republic Day parade at the majestic Rajpath which showcased the country's military prowess and rich cultural diversity.
This is for the first time ten heads of state attended the annual celebrations as chief guests, and the gathering of the leaders of the powerful grouping was being seen as reflective of India's growing stature as a major power in the region where China has been trying to increase its strategic clout.
Thousands of people on both sides of the Rajpath, India's ceremonial boulevard facing the seat of power at Raisina Hill, braved the winter chill and cheered loudly as the marching contingents and tableaux went past them.
The ASEAN leaders, some of whom were accompanied by their spouses, watched the grand parade, sitting on a 100-foot stage along with President Ram Nath Kovind and Modi.
Before the beginning of the ceremony marking the date when India's Constitution came into force in 1950, the prime minister, wearing a saffron, red and green 'safa', paid homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate.
The 10 ASEAN leaders who attended the parade were Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Thailand Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Lao PDR's Premier Thongloun Sisoulith, Malaysian Prime Minister Nazib Razak, Brunei Darussalam's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Cambodian Premier Hun Sen.
Yesterday, one individual from each of the 10 ASEAN nations was named for the Padma award.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.
The ties between India and ASEAN have been on an upswing.
The ASEAN region along with India has a combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population, and their combined GDP has been estimated at over USD 3.8 trillion.
Investment from ASEAN to India has been over USD 70 billion in the last 17 years, accounting for more than 17 per cent of India's total FDI.
India's investment in ASEAN during the same period has been more than USD 40 billion.
The marching contingents included one carrying flags of the 10 ASEAN countries.
The parade was commanded by Lt. General Asit Mistry, General Officer Commanding, Headquarters Delhi Area.
Twenty three tableaux, including those representing various states, ministries, the All India Radio (AIR) among others, rolled down the Rajpath.
Tableaux from 14 states and union territories showcased the historical, art and cultural heritage of the country.
The Indian Army's T-90 tank (Bhishma), Brahmos Missile System, Weapon Locating Radar (Swathi), Bridge Laying Tank T- 72 and Akash weapon system was the main draw in the mechanised columns.
The Indian Air Force displayed models of the indigenously developed Tejas light combat aircraft among other platforms.
However, the show stopper was the Indian Air Force's air display featuring C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster, Su-30 MKIs and Tejas aircraft.
Modi had invited the ASEAN leaders for the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit and to attend the Republic Day celebrations as chief guests.
PTI
