<p>A 149-member marching contingent from UAE, with a band comprising 35 musicians from that country, led the 68th Republic Day parade at Rajpath today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the Chief Guest at the function. Hence, the UAE contingent was given the honour to lead the parade.<br /><br />Al Nahyan, also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE armed forces, was seated next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who wore a pink color 'safa' (turban).<br /><br />Leading the UAE contingent was Lt Col Abood Musabeh Abood Musabeh Alghfeli. Its personnel carrying M-16 rifle were from Presidential Guards, the Air Force, the Navy and Army.<br /><br />The UAE is the second country after France to send troops to participate in the Republic-Day parade of India, a tradition started last year.<br /><br />The UAE military contingent was followed by an impressive military band of 35 musicians, dressed in white trousers and red bandhgala coat and playing delightful marching tune "Kaptien".<br /><br />The UAE contingent got a formal invitation from the Indian Army to participate in the Republic Day parade about three- four weeks ago.<br /><br />The Arab nation was initially interested to send its paratroopers, but the Defence Ministry did not agree to it.<br /><br />Senior army officials said it was a good chance for Indian troops to interact with their UAE counterparts.</p>
<p>A 149-member marching contingent from UAE, with a band comprising 35 musicians from that country, led the 68th Republic Day parade at Rajpath today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the Chief Guest at the function. Hence, the UAE contingent was given the honour to lead the parade.<br /><br />Al Nahyan, also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE armed forces, was seated next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who wore a pink color 'safa' (turban).<br /><br />Leading the UAE contingent was Lt Col Abood Musabeh Abood Musabeh Alghfeli. Its personnel carrying M-16 rifle were from Presidential Guards, the Air Force, the Navy and Army.<br /><br />The UAE is the second country after France to send troops to participate in the Republic-Day parade of India, a tradition started last year.<br /><br />The UAE military contingent was followed by an impressive military band of 35 musicians, dressed in white trousers and red bandhgala coat and playing delightful marching tune "Kaptien".<br /><br />The UAE contingent got a formal invitation from the Indian Army to participate in the Republic Day parade about three- four weeks ago.<br /><br />The Arab nation was initially interested to send its paratroopers, but the Defence Ministry did not agree to it.<br /><br />Senior army officials said it was a good chance for Indian troops to interact with their UAE counterparts.</p>