Indian Para-military force soldiers march during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
NEW DELHI (AP) — Rows of soldiers advance in lockstep, automatic rifles braced against their bodies. Behind them roll armoured columns, followed by mobile missile systems, radars, tanks and military command units. Overhead, fighter jets tear through the sky.
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on Monday with a colorful parade displaying its military might on a boulevard in the country’s capital, New Delhi. Thousands of people lined the road to watch the long parade marking the anniversary of the official adoption of India’s Constitution on Jan. 26, 1950, nearly three years after independence from British colonial rule.
The parade took place on Kartavya Path boulevard, which is lined with expansive lawns, canals and rows of trees.
Visiting European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended the event as chief guests and were flanked by India’s president and prime minister.
Soldiers from India’s military and paramilitary forces, along with their bands, marched as the country’s leaders and other guests looked on. The parade showcased India’s domestically produced military hardware, with tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, mobile radar systems and missile platforms rolling past in formation. Stunt performers on motorbikes also participated.
The parade also showcased India’s culture. Troupes in vivid dress whirled through folk dances and various floats displayed India’s cultural diversity.
The parade ended with a flypast by air force fighters, including Rafale jets and transport planes.
Across India, state capitals and major cities also staged Republic Day parades amid heightened security measures.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Indian military soldiers march during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Indian army commandos march during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)European Council President Antonio Costa, center left, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen greet officials upon their arrival at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Indian Para-military force soldiers march during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Soldiers from Indian para-military force display their skills on motorcycles during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Indian Border Security Force soldiers march during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Indian Army soldiers on light strike vehicles drive past during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Indian army soldiers with Bacterian camels and Zanskar ponies march during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)An Indian army soldier along with sniffer dog marches during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Indian Army soldiers display Unified rocket launcher systems and Brahmos missiles during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)Indian para-military force soldiers march during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)A tableaux depicting the Indian state of Maharashtra drives past during the Republic Day parade celebrations in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)A cadet of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) shouts as she salute during the India’s Republic Day parade in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)Indian soldier guard outside the venue of India’s Republic Day parade in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)An Indian soldier and a policeman guard as a woman walks near the venue of India’s Republic Day parade in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)An Indian army commando leads a parading contingent during the Republic Day ceremonial parade, in Kolkata, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)Schoolgirls walk with portraits of Indian freedom fighters and eminent personalities during a Republic Day ceremonial parade, in Kolkata, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
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