| Hakim Hayat In New Delhi, India |
HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, yesterday attended the 69th Republic Day of India parade as guest of honour, together with other Asean leaders.
The event, which took place at Rajpath in the country’s capital, saw India showcasing its military prowess and cultural diversity, in the presence of 10 Asean leaders who were in New Delhi to attend the Asean-India Commemorative Summit.
Upon arrival at the venue, His Majesty was greeted by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.
The monarch was then invited to the special dais to join other Asean heads of state and government to witness the Republic Day parade.
Marching contingents of India’s powerful military from various wings including the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy, the Police Force as well as the Indian National Cadet Corps and other uniformed groups were the highlight of the parade where strategic defence weaponry including fighter jets and colourful tableaux were on display during the grand spectacle that was witnessed by thousands of invited guests.
Indian Prime Minister Modi welcomed the guests after which Indian President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the Indian tricolour to a 21-gun salute.
Cold weather conditions and dense fog failed to dampen the enthusiasm of thousands of spectators who witnessed the nearly one-and-half-hour-long parade, which started from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill, passed through Rajpath and finished at the India Gate, amid an unprecedented security cover.
The event also showcased the cultural diversity and heritage of India and the guest countries as well as a motorcycle performance by the Border Security Forces and an air show.
The Republic Day of India is celebrated annually on January 26 to honour the Constitution of India, as it was implemented on the same date in 1950. This year’s Republic Day celebration marked the first time in India’s history that such an event was attended by all the Asean heads of state and government as guests of honour.
It was also for the first time that a record number of heads of state attended the parade. Every year, India invites one foreign leader as guest of honour at the Republic Day Parade.
The highlight of the iconic parade was a team of Border Security Force (BSF) women who performed daredevil stunts on motorcycle, receiving a standing ovation from the spectators.
During the Asean-India Summit that was held to commemorate 25 years of dialogue partnership between both sides, leaders from Asean and India adopted the Delhi Declaration, reaffirming the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, other lawful uses of the seas, unimpeded lawful maritime commerce and peaceful resolutions of disputes, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the relevant standards and recommended practices by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The Declaration also said they would strengthen maritime cooperation through existing relevant mechanisms including the Expanded Asean Maritime Forum (EAMF) to address common challenges on maritime issues.
In his remarks at the plenary session of the India-Asean commemorative summit on Thursday evening, Modi said the leaders discussed issues related to the Indo-Pacific region during the retreat.
Modi said India shares Asean’s vision for rules-based societies and peace. “Freedom of navigation will be a key focus of Asean-India in the maritime domain,” he said.
“India shares Asean’s vision of peace and prosperity through a rule-based order for the oceans and seas. Respect for international law, notably UNCLOS is critical for this. We remain committed to work with Asean to enhance practical cooperation and collaboration in our shared maritime domain.”
During the retreat session held on Thursday, all the leaders discussed Asean-India cooperation in maritime domain, as one of the key focus areas for growth and development in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, security cooperation and freedom of navigation.
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