Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to be the chief guest at the upcoming Republic Day celebrations in the capital, according to reports.
Following his visit to India, it appears that President Subianto may not travel to Pakistan as initially planned, due to concerns raised by New Delhi.
While there was an intention for the Indonesian President to visit Pakistan after India, this plan is now uncertain. India has yet to officially announce this year’s Republic Day chief guest.
During his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will engage in extensive discussions with Subianto. Every year, India extends invitations to global leaders to attend the Republic Day festivities. Last year, French President Emmanuel Macron served as the chief guest, while in 2023, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was honoured with the role.
Notably, there were no chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the chief guest was then-Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The previous year, in 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attended, and in 2018, all 10 leaders of ASEAN countries were present.
In the years leading up to 2017, notable guests included Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who attended in 2017, and then French President Francois Hollande in 2016. In 2015, then-U.S. President Barack Obama was the chief guest, followed by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014 and Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in 2013.
Over the years, the Republic Day celebrations have welcomed numerous prominent leaders, including Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami, and Jacques Chirac. Noteworthy appearances include British Prime Minister John Major in 1993, Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s President in 1995, and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak in 2010.
In addition, past guests such as Sarkozy in 2008, Chirac in 1998, Nepal’s King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 1999, Iran’s President Mohammed Khatami in 2003, Indonesia’s then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011, and Maldives’ President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1991 have also attended the celebrations.