Huge crowds line New Delhi streets to see daredevil motorbike stunts, camel cavalry and thousands of troops in parade on India’s Republic Day
- Thousands gathered to watch the parade in New Delhi on Sunday as other marches took place across India
- As well as camel cavalry and bagpipers, all-female police officers performed daring motorbike acrobatics
- Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guest of honour at the spectacle
- January 26 is the anniversary of India’s adoption of its constitution and transition to a republic in 1950
Thousands gathered to watch India’s Republic Day parade today, with daredevil motorbike stunts, camel cavalry and pomp-filled marching delighting crowds in New Delhi.
Women took centre-stage as riders, for the first time, performed sensational acrobatics on motorcyles down the famous Rajpath boulevard.
Inspector Seema Nag saluted the gathered VIPs as she led her fellow bikers, one precariously perched at the top of a ladder wedged behind her vehicle’s handlebars as others formed a human pyramid, drawing the loudest cheers from thousands of spectators.
And in front of the guest of honour, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, Captain Tania Shergill, a fourth-generation army officer, led an all-male Corps of Signals contingent.
Thousands gathered for India’s Republic Day parade Sunday, it marks the adoption of the constitution of India and the transition of the country to a Republic on 26 January 1950 (Squadrons of soldiers march through the centre of Delhi today)
For the first time, Members of Central Reserve Police Force performed daredevil stunts on motorbikes and to the delight of the crowds lining New Delhi’s central Rajpath boulevard, they were women
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers ride their camels during India’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India on Sunday
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (L), India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro and India’s President Ram Nath Kovind watch the Republic Day parade in New Delhi
India’s Prime Minister shakes hands with Bolsonaro at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi
Bolsonaro sat next to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – who wore a saffron turban – and waved and clapped from behind a bullet-proof glass.
January 26 is the anniversary of India’s adoption of its constitution in 1950.
The two-hour showcase of military might and cultural diversity included everything from battle tanks and state-of-the-art weaponry to traditional dancers.
Scaled-down models of the Rafale aircraft were paraded by the air force, following the South Asian nation’s purchase of 36 jets from France in 2016 in a multi-billion-dollar deal.
The mounted camels of the Border Security Force put in an early showing, strutting down the avenue in brightly coloured caparisons.
Traditional dancers representing some of India’s diverse regional cultures performed on elaborately decorated floats showcasing selected states.
Bagpipers of the Jammu and Kashmir police band march during the 71st Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar, India
Indian horse-mounted presidential guards take part in a ceremony during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi
A contingent of Indian paramilitary stand in formation before their parade at the Sher- i- Kashmir stadium where the authorities held the main function, during India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2020 in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian administered Kashmir, India
Indian Army Air Defence marching contingent parades during the 71st Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, India
Female officers of the Jammu and Kashmir police force attend the 71st Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar on Sunday
The show culminated with a Su-30 MKI fighter jet roaring through the sky in a ‘Vertical Charlie’ aerobatic manoeuvre.
The parade was held against a backdrop of nationwide protests over a new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against minority Muslims, which make up 200 million people in India’s 1.3 billion-strong population.
And as citizens celebrated in Delhi, in restive Indian Kashmir, all mobile phone services were suspended for several hours.
Row upon row of white-hatted soldiers march during India’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India on Sunday
Members of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) wearing glorious yellow ceremonial turbans mach through the Indian capital on Sunday
Soldiers marching through the capital on Sunday wearing orange turbans (left) and with western-style wide-brimmed hats (right)
A demonstrator waves the Indian national flag during a protest against a new citizenship law on the outskirts of Mumbai, India. The parade was held against a backdrop of nationwide protests over a new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against minority Muslims, which make up 200 million people in India’s 1.3 billion-strong population.
Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest against a new citizenship law on the outskirts of Mumbai
The cut came just a day after people in the Muslim majority area had internet services partially restored, after the central government cut access in August as it stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status.
And the northeastern state of Assam, where the protests first began, was rocked Sunday by four explosions which the police suspected were carried out by a separatist group. No-one was injured and nothing was damaged, police said.
Also on Sunday, hundreds of women blocked a Delhi highway to protest the Citizenship Amendment Act and a proposed National Register of Citizens.
An Indian cavalryman stands next to his horse following the military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard, New Delhi
Indian paramilitary soldiers take part during India’s 71th Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir
A member of India’s National Cadet Corps NCC) warms her hands during the 71st Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar
Indian paramilitary soldiers march during the 71st Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar
HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) Dhruv helicopters seen during a military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard
The new law makes it easier for persecuted religious minorities from three neighbouring countries to obtain citizenship, but not if they are Muslim.
Protesters say the law is against the secular principles enshrined in the Indian constitution.
There were also protests against Bolsonaro’s visit, with a small rally held in the western city of Mumbai Friday where demonstrators questioned his stand on climate change and sexist comments against a female politician.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the crowd after attending Republic Day parade in New Delhi
An Akash surface-to-air missile defense system during a military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard
A Russian-made T-90M Bhishma tanks during a military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard
India’s antisatellite missile on display during a military parade marking Republic Day in Rajpath Boulevard
Indian Air Force’s Jaguar fighter jets fly during India’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India on Saturday. The SEPECAT Jaguar was a British-French jet which is still used by the Indian Air Force in a significantly upgraded form
On Saturday the two nationalist leaders signed a slew of deals, including for defence and oil and gas, and promised to strengthen bilateral ties.
Last year Brazil complained about India’s subsidies for sugar exports to the World Trade Organisation, saying it would hurt free competition in the global market.
India is the largest cane sugar producer in the world followed by Brazil, according to the International Sugar Organisation.
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