--- description: One of the South Asian nation's biggest occasions was made even more momentous by the choice of chief guest title: Of Fighter Jets, Camels and Diplomacy image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt22cd5dade917558e/69877bd935ba6f0669c06b79/obama-india-republic-day-parade-7.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # India Pulls Out All the Stops for Obama at Republic Day Parade ## Video: India Holds Its Annual Republic Day Parade [Watch (HLS stream): India Holds Its Annual Republic Day Parade](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/6xtCqcq0.m3u8) (0:48)  _Published 2015-01-26. Obama is the honored guest at India's annual Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Monday_ by [Rishi Iyengar](/author/rishi-iyengar/) ## Rishi Iyengar Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 26, 2015 9:27 AM CUT  Soldiers march in formation down the ceremonial boulevard Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Jan. 26, 2015. Soldiers march in formation down the ceremonial boulevard Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Jan. 26, 2015.Prakash Singh—AFP/Getty Images by [Rishi Iyengar](/author/rishi-iyengar/) ## Rishi Iyengar Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 26, 2015 9:27 AM CUT Gloomy skies and a steady downpour were not enough to dampen New Delhi’s spirits on Monday, as thousands turned up to watch U.S. President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle and a sizable American delegation witness a display of India’s military might, economic achievements and diversity at the country’s 66th Republic Day parade. Obama became the [first U.S. President](http://time.com/3679945/barack-obama-india-narendra-modi-5-things/ "undefined") ever to attend the annual event, an invite for which is considered one of the greatest honors India bestows on foreign dignitaries. The President rolled up to the viewing platform in his armored limousine, known as The Beast, eschewing the tradition of riding in the Indian president’s vehicle over security concerns. He then took his place between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom he announced a [“breakthrough”](http://time.com/3681624/obama-india-modi-nuclear/ "undefined") on a civil nuclear deal Sunday evening, and Indian President Pranab Mukherjee (whose choice of headgear caused a bit of a flutter on social media). > [](https://twitter.com/WrongDoc/status/559611012588908545) > [](https://twitter.com/McLainSean/status/559574023919525890) > [](https://twitter.com/devikabakshi/status/559581557527035904) While the U.S. has become India’s biggest military supplier in recent times, the South Asian nation’s armed forces have traditionally been equipped with Soviet hardware, a fact Obama was reminded of as Russian-made T-90 and T-72 tanks rolled down the main stretch, along with a mobile launcher for the BrahMos missile jointly developed by India and Russia. The parade-ending flyovers by the Indian Air Force did have American P-8 Poseidon naval planes, and although these too were flanked by Russian MIG-29 and SU-30 fighter jets, officials on both sides expressed hope and confidence in the 10-year bilateral [defense agreement](http://time.com/3674026/barack-obama-india-narendra-modi/ "undefined") that Obama and Modi renewed on Sunday. ### See Obama attend India's Republic Day Parade  President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi watch an award ceremony and parade from their viewing stand overlooking the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Jan. 26, 2015. Stephen Crowley—AP  Aaerial view of the paramilitary contingents taking part in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Jan. 26, 2015. EPA  A girl sits on the shoulder of a man and holds up a mobile phone as the Republic Day parade marches past in the old parts of New Delhi, Jan. 26, 2015. Tsering Topgyal—AP  Policemen march during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Jan. 26, 2015. Adnan Abidi—Reuters  Soldiers march in formation down the ceremonial boulevard Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Jan. 26, 2015. Prakash Singh—AFP/Getty Images  Navy sailors watch military helicopters fly-by during India's Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Jan. 26, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters  Performers spin around atop a float during the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, Jan. 26, 2015. Carolyn Kaster—AP  A paramilitary unit participates in the 66th Republic day function in New Delhi, Jan. 25, 2015. Harish Tyagi—EPA  A spectator holds a placard that reads "We Love Obama" as the motorcade of President Obama departs following the conclusion of the country's Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on Jan. 26, 2015. Tengku Bahar—AFP/Getty Images “None of these things should be considered small in terms of just what it means for working together as two defense industrial bases and what we can share with each other,” Phillip Reiner, Obama’s top South Asia advisor, told the [New York _Times_](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/27/world/asia/obama-makes-the-most-of-indias-republic-day-parade.html?smid=tw-nytimes "undefined"). “It’s a huge step forward,” Indian lawmaker Baijayant Panda agreed, even though other analysts remained skeptical but hopeful. Between the displays of military might came a series of marches — including multiple [all-female contingents](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/First-ever-womens-contingent-at-Republic-Day-parade/articleshow/46017987.cms?utm%5Fsource=twitter.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=timesofindia "undefined") and even a [camel troop](https://twitter.com/TimesNow/status/559580885477883905 "undefined") — followed by floats and dance performances representing various Indian states, as well as government initiatives like Modi’s “Make in India” and “Swacch Bharat” (Clean India) campaigns. Finally, there were the motorcycles of the Border Security Force. Known as [“Janbaz,” or Dare Devils](http://www.wsj.com/articles/theres-no-easy-riding-for-indias-motorcycle-drill-team-1422051099 "undefined"), they showcased feats of amazing balance, focus and agility — all while tapping on laptops and dressed as peacocks and lotuses. Judging by Obama’s reaction, one of his most animated during the course of the parade, they got the White House seal of approval. > [](https://twitter.com/TimesNow/status/559597861768155136) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3682118/obama-modi-india-republic-day-parade/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3682118/obama-modi-india-republic-day-parade/"},"headline":"India Pulls Out All the Stops for Obama at Republic Day Parade","datePublished":"2015-01-26T09:27:24.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T05:06:03.116Z","description":"One of the South Asian nation's biggest occasions was made even more momentous by the choice of chief guest","url":"https://time.com/3682118/obama-modi-india-republic-day-parade/","keywords":["Barack Obama","India","Michelle Obama","Narendra Modi","Visit","parade"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt22cd5dade917558e/69877bd935ba6f0669c06b79/obama-india-republic-day-parade-7.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Rishi Iyengar","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/rishi-iyengar/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt22cd5dade917558e/69877bd935ba6f0669c06b79/obama-india-republic-day-parade-7.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"INDIA-US-DIPLOMACY","caption":"Indian soldiers march in formation down the ceremonial boulevard Rajpath during the Indian Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Jan. 26, 2015.","creditText":"Prakash Singh—AFP/Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/world/","name":"World"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3682118/obama-modi-india-republic-day-parade/","name":"India Pulls Out All the Stops for Obama at Republic Day Parade"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"India Holds Its Annual Republic Day Parade","description":"Obama is the honored guest at India's annual Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Monday","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6xtCqcq0/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2015-01-26T09:28:56.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/6xtCqcq0.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/3682118/obama-modi-india-republic-day-parade/","duration":"PT48S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/3682118/obama-modi-india-republic-day-parade/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```