A Tapestry of Global Leaders: Queen Elizabeth to Vladimir Putin – India’s Republic Day Chief Guests Across Decades

India celebrated its 75th Republic Day on Friday, showcasing an impressive display of women’s power, cultural heritage, and military prowess. The grand Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in the heart of the national capital began with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, the distinguished chief guest, arriving in a traditional buggy.

Despite dense fog, the parade featured a gravity-defying fly-past with missiles, warplanes, surveillance gadgets, and lethal weapon systems. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, top military brass, foreign diplomats, and senior officials were among the spectators.

Over the years, India has hosted several world leaders on its Republic Day, contributing to the event’s international significance. Notable attendees have included former US President Barack Obama, former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, the pandemic disrupted this tradition between 2021 and 2022, with no chief guests invited during this period. The year 2023 saw the resumption of this tradition with Egypt President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the chief guest.

This year, the spotlight is on French President Emmanuel Macron, marking a unique reciprocal exchange following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France on its National Day in July 2023. This visit is particularly significant as it concludes the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the Strategic Partnership between India and France.

President Macron’s presence marks the sixth time a French leader has been invited as the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day, a tradition that began with President Jacques Chirac in 1976, followed by Valery Giscard d’Estaing in 1980, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and Francois Hollande in 2016.

In a historic context, let’s reflect on the chief guests from previous years:

2023: Egypt President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
2020: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro
2019: South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa
2018: Heads of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states.
2017: Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
2016: French President Francois Hollande
2015: US President Barack Obama
2014: Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
2013: Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
2012: Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
2007: Russian President Vladimir Putin
2002: Mauritius President Cassam Uteem
1995: South Africa President Nelson Mandela
1971: Tanzania President Julius Nyerere
1967: Afghanistan’s King Mohammed Zahir Shah
1961: UK’s Queen Elizabeth
1960: USSR President Kliment Voroshilov
1957: Soviet Union Defence Minister Georgy Zhukov

As India continues its tradition of hosting world leaders on Republic Day, the event remains a symbol of unity, diversity, and global solidarity.