India showcased its military might and cultural heritage in the capital on Friday as the country celebrated its 69th Republic Day with leaders from the Association of South-East Asian Nations as guests of honour.
Leaders from the 10-member Asean, such as Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, joined top Indian politicians to watch the two-hour display comprising a military parade, cultural performances and colourful floats.
The annual event centred in New Delhi's ceremonial boulevard, Rajpath, and smaller events across the country are held to mark the day India adopted its constitution in 1950 after the end of British rule.
Indian officials said it was for the first time in the country's history that a record number of heads of state attended the Republic Day parade. Every year, India invites one foreign leader as its guest of honour.
"To all my countrymen, greetings on Republic Day. Jai Hind (long live India, in Hindi)," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter, thanking Asean leaders for joining the celebrations.



Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte leave after attending the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Friday. 

Modi's invitation to the Asean leaders marks a significant outreach by India against the backdrop of China's rising economic and military assertiveness in the region.
On Thursday, Asean and India held a summit in New Delhi to mark 25 years of ties. Defence and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region dominated the discussions.
Asean groups Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia.
Friday's ceremonies began with Modi paying tribute to fallen Indian soldiers.  
The military parade included marching soldiers, military bands, displays of military hardware as well as camel-mounted paramilitary troops.
Also displayed during the parade were the indigenous T-90 battle tanks, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles developed jointly with Russia and the nuclear-capable Agni missile series.
This was followed by a cultural extravaganza of dances and gymnastics as well as tableaux from Indian states and government ministries and departments.
Two floats displaying India's historical, cultural and religious ties with South-East Asia were among the first to roll down Rajpath.
Fog and cold weather failed to deter large crowds who thronged the parade starting early in the day. 
The parade route was under heavy security as an estimated 60,000 policemen kept vigil and snipers were stationed on rooftops.
An all-women, 113-member paramilitary contingent that performed daring bike stunts was among the key attractions at the parade, receiving loud applause from the crowds.
The show ended with a fly-past by the Indian Air Force.  
Asean leaders were to attend an open house tea party hosted by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind later on Friday before concluding their visit.
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