India celebrates 70th R-Day in presence of SA President Cyril Ramaphosa

India celebrated its 70th Republic Day with a grand display of its military might and rich cultural diversity as the ceremonial parade rolled down the majestic Rajpath here in presence of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as the chief guest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tributes to the martyrs by laying a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti before the start of the parade in presence of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three service chiefs.

Later Modi, wearing his traditional kurta pajama and the trademark Nehru jacket, reached the Rajpath and received and greeted President Ram Nath Kovind and the chief guest.

At the unfurling of the tricolour, the band played the national anthem with a 21-gun salute fired in the background.

Many senior leaders, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Deve Gowda, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad were among those present at the ..