40 fighter jets to create colourful spectacle, Indonesian army to participate in parade; India to celebrate 76th Republic Day

NEW DELHI: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at India's 76th Republic Day celebrations. The parade will begin at 10:30 am when President Draupadi Murmu will arrive at the National Parade Ground. Along with the performances of the army, air force and navy, 31 tableaus of other states will also be present in the parade. The Indonesian Army will also be present in the parade.

A 21-gun salute ceremony will be held after hoisting of the national flag. The Indian Army has prepared indigenously built battle tanks and military vehicles for the parade. 40 fighter jets of the Air Force are set to create a colorful spectacle in the sky. Parade groups of the Navy and various paramilitary forces will also be present. More than 5,000 artists will also participate in the art festival held at the parade ground.

Security has been beefed up in Delhi in view of the Republic Day celebrations. Security has been beefed up in various cities as well. Security has been strengthened following the firing on an army camp in Jammu and Kashmir the other day.

The government has invited 34 categories of people from different parts of the country to watch the parade. These include construction workers, ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers. Apart from this, village sarpanches, disaster relief workers, community resource persons. Beneficiaries of the PM Yashasvi scheme, handloom artists, artisans, tribal beneficiaries involved in various schemes, etc. are also guests of the government.

India-Indonesia defence ties
India and Indonesia held discussions to strengthen their bilateral ties, signing several agreements at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The agreements were signed during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo said that a high-level delegation will be sent to India to implement the bilateral defense cooperation agreement. The agreement to increase defense cooperation comes amid talks to buy Brahmos cruise missiles from India. It is indicated that the Brahmos deal has been finalized.

The Coast Guard and Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA) signed an agreement on maritime security, crime prevention, search and rescue and capacity building. It was also agreed to increase cooperation in areas such as trade, cybersecurity and health.

After the meeting, Modi said that Indonesia is a strategic partner of India in the Indo-Pacific region. It was agreed that freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region should be ensured in accordance with international law. Held comprehensive discussions with Prabowo Subianto on various aspects of mutual cooperation. Modi also said that cooperation will be further strengthened in areas such as Fintech, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Digital Public Infrastructure. Disaster management officials of both countries will participate in joint exercises. India will share knowledge related to health and food security. Modi pointed out that bilateral trade has gained momentum in recent years. Discussions were held to further improve this and diversify trade.