In yet another first, India has managed success in strengthening the diplomatic ties with its regional counterparts. The progress in hosting a single country to 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders on Republic Day, is an indicator of diplomacy played well.
Evidently this indicates that strategy-wise a new level has been achieved by bringing together the ASEAN leaders on a common stage. It can be clearly termed as a strengthened bond with regional groups.
Adding to the uniqueness will be an India-ASEAN tableau in the Republic Day parade. Reports suggest that it will have several firsts on display this time.
Former Ambassador K. Shankar Bajpai told The Hindu, “As far as India is concerned, we have a tradition to invite a guest of honour as chief guest for the Republic Day parade of 26 January. But so far we have not done something like inviting 10 leaders for a diplomatic engagement on this day.”
Striking Defence diplomacy
In a first will be an all-woman BSF group on motorcycle and Nirbhay, India’s long-range sub-sonic cruise missile. Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed Nirbhay which has a range of over 1,000 km. It was successful in test-firing carried out in November last year. What will make this R-Day parade peculiar is the display of India-made military platforms. This has a great significance as India wishes to expand its defence diplomacy. India needs to accelerates its military sales and this might prove fruitful. BrahMos supersonic missiles, Akash Surface to Air Missile (SAM), and Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) will also be on display in the military component of the parade.
In total the parade will have 16 marching contingents, 23 tableaux from 14 States and four ministries. Marking their first will be tableaus from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and All India Radio (AIR).