NEW DELHI: India celebrated its 76th Republic Day with a spectacular parade showcasing the nation's military might and cultural heritage. The event, held at Kartavya Path, featured a grand display of indigenous weapon systems, including the debut of the Pralay missile and the Pinaka rocket launcher. The parade also highlighted India's rich cultural diversity with tableaux from 16 states, Union Territories, and Central Government departments.

The parade began with a flyover by Indian Air Force helicopters carrying the Indian and Indonesian national flags, honouring Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the chief guest. A 350-member contingent from the Indonesian National Armed Forces also participated in the parade, symbolizing the growing defence cooperation between the two nations. 

The Indian Army contingent, led by the 61 Cavalry, showcased cutting-edge defence systems like the T-90 Bhishma tank, NAG missile systems, BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, and Pinaka multi-launch rocket system.

In addition to the military display, the parade featured vibrant tableaux representing India's cultural heritage. Uttar Pradesh displayed its Maha Kumbh tableau, while Andhra Pradesh highlighted eco-friendly wooden toys. The event also included performances by folk and classical artists, adding to the festive atmosphere.

For the first time, a tri-services tableau, themed "Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat" (Empowered and Secure India), showcased the integration and jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The display featured Indigenous defence platforms such as the Arjun Main Battle Tank, Tejas MKII fighter aircraft, Advanced Light Helicopter, and the destroyer INS Visakhapatnam, underscoring India's commitment to self-reliance in defence. 

The parade also featured 31 tableaux from various states, union territories, and central government departments, under the theme Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas (Golden India: Heritage and Development). These displays celebrated India's cultural diversity and developmental milestones. A cultural performance by 5,000 artists showcased over 45 traditional dance forms from across the country, reflecting India's rich artistic heritage. The event concluded with a flypast by approximately 40 aircraft, including 22 Indian Air Force fighter jets, presenting formations in the clear skies above the capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute at the National War Memorial before the parade commenced. The event concluded with an impressive flypast by 40 aircraft and helicopters, including a vertical Charlie manoeuvre by Rafale fighter jets.