According to sources aware of the move, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be attending the Republic Day celebrations in India later, during which he will be the Chief Guest. His visit to India is an important diplomatic engagement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be having comprehensive discussions with him.
Though India hasn’t officially declared its Chief Guest for this year’s Republic Day yet, Subianto’s visit has gained much excitement. His appearance will follow a tradition of welcoming global leaders to watch the parade at New Delhi for Republic Day. In 2023, France’s Emmanuel Macron was one of them, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi appeared as the guest of honor in 2023.
Reports indicate that Subianto’s trip to Pakistan, which was scheduled after his visit to India, is likely to be delayed due to objections raised by New Delhi. Pakistan media had earlier stated that the Indonesian leader was set to visit Pakistan following his Indian engagement.
The Republic Day celebrations of India have always been a good platform for enhancing international relations as it has had some of the world’s top heads of state and government visiting India in the past. The 2020 Republic Day had Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro as the Chief Guest, while there was no guest during the 2021 and 2022 Republic Day celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other dignitaries who have visited India for Republic Day celebrations in the past include former US President Barack Obama in 2015, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019, and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014. The tradition remains an excellent platform for fostering diplomatic relations and enhancing India’s bilateral relations with nations around the world.
