India’s foreign policy evolved in response to shifting global dynamics and domestic priorities, and these changes mirrored in R-Day Chief Guests
By Dr Akhil Kumar, Dr Anudeep Gujjeti
As India celebrates its 75th Republic Day today with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the Chief Guest, it is an opportune moment to reflect on its selection of chief guests over the decades and how these choices have shaped the country’s foreign policy, driving significant shifts in its engagement with various countries across the globe.
The Republic Day parade is one of the most cherished events for every Indian. This grand spectacle is meticulously designed to underscore the essence of India’s republican ethos, where the armed forces ceremonially salute and pay homage to civilian authority, embodied by the President of India.
With a harmonious blend of pride, precision and discipline, the parade unfolds as a testament to India’s military prowess and cultural diversity. Against the iconic backdrop of Kartavya Path, the rhythmic cadence of marching troops, the stirring notes of martial music and the vibrant tableaux collectively narrate the story of a nation’s unity in diversity, its historical legacy and aspirations for the future.
India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, in his autobiography, called this day as “INDEPENDENCE DAY came, January 26th, 1930, and it revealed to us, as in a flash, the earnest and enthusiastic mood of the country. There was something vastly impressive about the great gatherings everywhere, peacefully and solemnly taking the pledge of independence without any speeches or exhortation.”
Although India achieved independence on August 15, 1947, it initially remained a dominion, pledging allegiance to the British Crown. During this transitional period, Lord Mountbatten served as the first Governor-General, succeeded by C Rajagopalachari, who became the first and last Indian to hold this position.
To honour the historic significance of January 26, 1930, the day the demand for Purna Swaraj was proclaimed, it was decided that, although the Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, it would come into effect on January 26, 1950. This decision marked the day when India formally became a sovereign democratic republic.
Years of Non-Aligned
This year’s guest, Prabowo Subianto, will be the third Indonesian Head of State to come as the Chief Guest after Joko Widodo in 2018, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011 and Sukarno in 1950 (who incidentally was the first foreign Head of State in a Republic Day parade). President Sukarno was a close ally of Nehru during the formative years of the Non-Aligned Movement. Together, they championed the cause of independence for Asian and African nations, laying the groundwork for solidarity among post-colonial states.
Following Sukarno, the Republic Day celebrations were attended by the monarchs of Nepal and Bhutan, reflecting India’s emphasis on fostering strong ties with its immediate neighbours during the early years of independence.
In 1959, Chinese Communist General Ye Jianying was the Chief Guest, a figure who later rose to prominence as one of China’s top leaders in the late 1970s. He served as the country’s titular head of state from 1978 to 1983, highlighting the complex yet significant relationship between India and China during that era.
India’s early selection of chief guests for its Republic Day celebrations reflected its commitment to non-alignment, a cornerstone of its foreign policy during the formative years of independence. These choices underscored a preference for fostering ties with Soviet Bloc countries while simultaneously emphasising the importance of fostering harmonious relations within its immediate neighbourhood.
As India’s foreign policy evolved in response to shifting global dynamics and domestic priorities, these changes were mirrored in the diversity and strategic significance of its invited dignitaries. For instance, France, a key partner in defence, trade and cultural exchange, has been honoured on six occasions, reflecting the depth of the bilateral relationship. Bhutan, a close and friendly neighbour, was represented four times, signifying India’s enduring commitment to nurturing strong ties with its regional partners.
R-Day of 1955
The Republic Day parade of 1955 was notable for two key reasons. First, it marked a significant moment in India’s diplomatic history as the Chief Guest was from Pakistan — Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad. Second, it was the first time the event was held at Rajpath, after several years of experimenting with temporary venues like Ramlila Ground.
In 1965, Pakistan’s Food and Agriculture Minister, Rana Abdul Hamid, was invited to attend the parade. However, this gesture of diplomacy was followed by a sharp turn in relations, as less than three months later, India and Pakistan were embroiled in a war, reflecting the volatility and complexities of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Bonding with Britain
As India emerged from the shadow of colonial rule, its first Chief Guest from the United Kingdom (UK) at the Republic Day celebrations was RA Butler, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in 1956 along with Japan’s Chief Justice Kotaro Tanaka. This marked an early instance of diplomatic engagement with the former colonial power, reflecting India’s evolving international stance.
In the following years, several notable figures from the UK were invited as chief guests, underscoring the continued diplomatic relations between the two nations. Notably, British royals such as Prince Philip attended in 1960, followed by Queen Elizabeth II in 1961, both visits symbolising the enduring bond between India and the UK post-independence.
On five occasions, the Republic Day parade proceeded without a chief guest including the pandemic years. In 2021, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited as the chief guest but had to cancel his visit due to the pandemic
In 1964, Lord Mountbatten, the last British Viceroy of India, was invited to the parade. His presence marked a poignant moment in India’s diplomatic journey, reflecting both the historical connection and the complexities of moving forward as an independent nation while navigating its relationship with former colonial rulers and forging new international alliances. These visits illustrate the delicate balance India sought to maintain between asserting its sovereignty and engaging with global partners, including its colonial past.
Cold War Years
During the peak of the Cold War years, the selection of Republic Day guests largely reflected India’s commitment to its non-aligned foreign policy and its pursuit of strategic autonomy on the global stage. At this time, India sought to distance itself from the binary divide of the Cold War, aligning neither with the Soviet Bloc nor with the Western powers led by the United States (US). Instead, India championed the cause of peaceful coexistence, global disarmament, and the sovereignty of newly independent nations, especially in Asia and Africa.
The guests during this period were often leaders from countries that shared India’s ideological stance or were aligned with its vision of a world free from the influence of superpower rivalry. These included prominent leaders from the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries, as well as from newly independent African and Asian nations. India’s choice of such guests signalled its firm commitment to the principles of non-alignment, cooperation and solidarity with nations seeking freedom and development outside the Cold War framework.
Post-Cold War Era
In the post-Cold War era, as India entered a new phase of its foreign policy under the leadership of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, significant shifts began to take place. This period marked the beginning of a reorientation in India’s global strategy, driven by changing geopolitical dynamics and economic imperatives. After the Cold War ended, the world witnessed the dissolution of bipolarity and India, too, sought to recalibrate its position in the evolving international order.
The selection of chief guests during this decade continued to reflect the foreign policy priorities of the government, particularly in the context of economic, security and regional concerns. India’s strategic partnerships were evolving in response to its changing geopolitical interests, and these choices symbolised the country’s growing global engagement.
West Asia, Russia
In 2003, President Mohammad Khatami of Iran was invited as the Chief Guest, reflecting India’s recognition of Iran as a critical partner in energy security and regional connectivity. At a time when India was keen on securing energy supplies and strengthening its ties with Central Asia, Iran emerged as a key player. The invitation underscored India’s desire to build a robust strategic partnership with Iran, particularly in energy cooperation and infrastructural connectivity through initiatives like the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline.
The R-Day parade of 1955 marked a significant moment in diplomatic history as the chief guest was from Pakistan – Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad. It was the first time the event was held at Rajpath, after several years of experimenting with temporary venues like Ramlila Ground
In 2006, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia was the Chief Guest, marking a significant moment in India-Saudi relations. This visit was pivotal in the bilateral relationship as it laid the groundwork for a considerable turnaround in ties between the two countries. The visit helped bolster political, economic and security cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, energy and counterterrorism.
In 2007, Russian President Vladimir Putin was invited, highlighting the enduring and strong strategic relationship between India and Russia. Russia remained a key partner in defence and energy cooperation, and Putin’s visit emphasised India’s commitment to this longstanding partnership.
Emphasis on East
Except 2013, East Asian countries dominated the Republic Day guest list in the early 2010s, as India sought to bolster its ‘Look East Policy’ in response to China’s growing influence. This strategic shift reflected India’s desire to enhance its ties with key regional players, positioning itself as a stronger partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
In 2010, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was the Chief Guest, followed by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011, and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2012. These visits underscored India’s commitment to deepening economic, political, and security ties with Southeast Asia, a region that became increasingly important in the context of India’s growing regional influence and its desire to counterbalance China’s assertiveness.
Under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, major shifts began to take place and the period marked the beginning of a reorientation in India’s global strategy, driven by changing geopolitical dynamics and economic imperatives
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the Chief Guest in 2014. On many levels, Japan has become one of India’s most enduring and strategic partners in modern times. The two nations have built robust ties in trade, technology, defence and infrastructure, and Abe’s visit underscored the deepening of this relationship.
US and Global South
In 2015, US President Barack Obama became the first sitting American President to attend Republic Day celebrations, a historic moment that highlighted the growing strategic partnership between India and the US. This was also the first Republic Day under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signalling a shift toward a more dynamic foreign policy approach.
India, during this period, accorded importance to the Global South. In 2017, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was invited as the Chief Guest followed by the Heads of all Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2018, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in 2020, Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in 2023. Interestingly, this momentum continued till India hosted the G20 summit in 2023. This shows that India not only cultivated relations with the developed world but also maintained close ties with the developing world by being more comprehensive and pragmatic in its outlook towards the world.
India’s approach to selecting Republic Day chief guests evolved significantly over the decades, reflecting broader shifts in its foreign policy. In the post-colonial phase, India’s foreign policy was deeply idealistic, rooted in the principles of non-alignment, self-determination and anti-colonial solidarity. During this period, it focused on fostering relationships with nations that shared its values, particularly newly independent countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The invitation to President Mohammad Khatami in 2003 underscored India’s desire to build a robust strategic partnership with Iran, particularly in energy cooperation and infrastructural connectivity through initiatives like the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline
However, as the Cold War intensified, India found itself caught in the ideological divide between the US and the Soviet Union. The foreign policy choices during the Cold War years reflected a pragmatic balancing act, as India navigated its strategic interests while maintaining its commitment to non-alignment. The guest list during this period, though still largely shaped by ideological considerations, began to show signs of India’s evolving stance on global politics.
The most significant shift came in the post-Cold War years, especially during the 1990s, when India began to embrace a more pragmatic and flexible foreign policy. Under Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, India’s foreign policy focused on national interests, economic growth and global engagement. The ideological rigour of the previous decades gradually gave way to a more transactional approach, where India increasingly engaged with a broader range of countries, regardless of their ideological leanings.
This period saw India engaging with both Western powers and traditional allies in the East, such as Japan and South Korea, as well as with nations from the Middle East and Central Asia. The selection of Republic Day chief guests reflected this shift, as India moved away from purely ideological considerations and began to prioritise strategic, economic and security interests. The approach became less about ideology and more about realpolitik, with an emphasis on strengthening India’s global standing, securing energy resources and promoting regional stability.
