Indonesia Keeps Its R-Day Tryst With India: President Subianto Attends As Chief Guest After Sukarno In 1975 Repeat

New Delhi: As India prepares for Republic Day celebrations on Sunday with common paraphernalia, including huge tri-colour-themed banners along the Kartavya Path, and the theme of 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas', focusing on 75 years of the enactment of the Constitution, the occasion witnesses a chief guest from Indonesia, the same country from which another state head attended the first Republic Day in 1950.

On Sunday, Subianto watched India's 76th Republic-Day celebrations at the majestic Kartavya Path, joining a select group of global leaders to have graced the nation's biggest ceremonial event in the last seven decades.

As the chief guest at the ceremony, Subianto witnessed the grand military parade and cultural performances along with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, foreign diplomats and a host of other dignitaries.

Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day celebrations in 1950. And 75 years later, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is the chief guest at this year's ceremonial parade which will also see the participation of a marching contingent and a band contingent from that country.

Earlier, soon after President Subianto's arrival, Prime Minister Modi welcomed President Subianto, specifying the historic bond shared between the two countries. "Indonesia was the chief guest country on India's first Republic Day, and as we celebrate 75 years of the Republic, it is a matter of great pride to have Indonesia part of this occasion again," the PM said.

In his media statement following the talks, Modi described Indonesia as an "important partner" of India in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc and the Indo-Pacific, noting that both countries are committed to a rules-based order in the region. "We agree that the freedom of navigation should be ensured in line with international law," Modi said amid growing global concerns over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region.

"We held extensive discussions on various aspects of our bilateral ties," the prime minister said, adding that India and Indonesia have agreed to work jointly on defence manufacturing and supply chains.

'Not a professional politician, learning from PM Modi'

Subianto lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and commitment towards alleviating poverty and helping the marginalised while affirming that he himself learnt a lot from him in the few days. The Indonesian President, who is on his first state visit to India, said he is proud to be in India and further wished "prosperity, peace, and greatness" for the people of India in the coming years.
Speaking at the special banquet, Subianto said, "I am very proud to be here (in India)...I am not a professional politician, I am not a good diplomat, I say what is in my heart. I came here for a few days but learned a lot from Prime Minister Modi's leadership and commitments...His commitment to alleviating poverty, helping the marginalized, and helping the weakest part of your society, is an inspiration for us."
"I would like to wish the people of India prosperity, peace, and greatness in the coming years. I would like to see Indonesia and India continuing to be close partners and friends," he added.

Who all attended as R-Day chief guests earlier?

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend the Republic Day celebration. Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron was the chief guest. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi graced the occasion in 2023. There was no Republic Day Chief guest in 2021 and 2022 given the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, then-Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebration. In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the event.

In 2017, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at the celebration, while then-French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016. In 2015, then-US President Barack Obama watched the parade. In 2014, ex-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebration, while Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the parade in 2013.

The heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami, and Jacques Chirac. The then British Prime Minister John Major attended the R-Day celebration in 1993, Nelson Mandela participated as the then South African President in 1995, and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak witnessed the parade in 2010.

In 2008, Sarkozy participated in the celebrations as French President, while his predecessor Chirac graced the occasion in 1998. Other world leaders who have attended the celebration include Nepal's King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, who came here in 1999, Iran's then President Mohammed Khatami in 2003, then Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011, and President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1991.