Multiple chief guests, a first for Republic Day 

Multiple chief guests, a first for Republic Day 

Context

From a single leader gracing Republic Day, India has pulled off a diplomatic coup of sorts by having as many as 10 leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), for January 26 this year

Significance

• The presence of the entire ASEAN leadership for Republic Day is a sign that the decades-old bond between India and the regional grouping has reached a new strategic level
• Former external affairs minister Natwar Singh said “We have hosted multiple heads of states as in 1983 when we hosted the NAM summit and more recently in the India-Africa Summit. But this event is unique as it comes in the context of major changes in the regional order”

R Day parade

• An important aspect of the R-Day parade this year is the focus on showcasing indigenously developed military platforms for the visiting heads of state. This is significant as India is now trying to significantly beef up its military sales as part of its defence diplomacy and wants to showcase these platforms to ASEAN countries
• In line with this, BrahMos supersonic missiles, Akash Surface to Air Missile (SAM), and Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) are part of the military component of the parade