<p>India showcased an impressive array of Russian military hardware to United States President Barack Obama, the first American president to be chief guest of the Republic Day parade.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The parade, commanded by Lt Gen Subroto Mitra, general officer commanding of Delhi area, gave Obama a clear indication of the importance that New Delhi had accorded to Moscow over the years as a trusted supplier of key military technologies—ranging from tanks to fighter planes.<br /><br />The mechanised column, comprising T-90 tanks, BMP II infantry combat vehicles and T-72 tanks with trawls, needed for movement in a minefield, are Russian. So is almost the entire flypast team comprising Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 of Indian Air Force, MiG-29K of the Indian Navy and Mi-35 helicopters.<br /><br />India purchased military equipment worth more than $10 billion from the US in the last 10 years. Still, the relationship remains a buyer-seller one. Sensing the drawback, Washington emphasised the inclusion of co-development and co-production in the new defence framework that India and the US finalised during Obama’s visit.<br /><br />Three US-made aircraft—C-17 Globemaster-III and C-130J Super Hercules, operated by the IAF, and P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft of the Navy— also flew past the central boulevard. India and the US are currently negotiating the follow-on contracts for each of these aircraft.<br /><br />Obama gave a thumbs-up to the Border Security Force’s (BSF) “Jaanbaaz” motorcycle team for their daredevil acts on Rajpath. The paramilitary force is celebrating its golden jubilee.<br /><br />Obama, however, violated the Republic Day protocol by arriving alone in his “Beast”, the heavily armoured Cadillac, before President Pranab Mukherjee. Though there was speculation about Obama coming in Mukherjee’s car as per protocol, US security officials ensured that Obama did not travel in any other car.<br /><br />For the first time, the three services deployed an all-woman marching contingent, highlighting the theme of “Nari Shakti” (women’s power).<br /><br />Untimely rain played spoilsport in the first half of the parade as the audience could not bring umbrellas due to security reasons. The VIPs on the saluting dais, however, were protected by umbrellas. The VIP box had bullet-proof glass but it did not have a roof so as to provide a clear view of the flypast.<br /><br />The rain subsided when the tableaux rolled on and cultural activities began. Sixteen states and nine Central government departments showcased India’s varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage.<br /><br />The marching contingents of the Army began with horse-mounted columns of the 61 Cavalry followed by the contingent of all-woman officers led by Captain Divya. <br /><br />The subsequent Army contingents were from the Brigade of the Guards, the Grenadiers, the Jat Regiment, the Sikh Regiment, the Kumaon Regiment, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, the 14 Gorkha Training Centre and the Territorial Army (Punjab). After the Army, came the IAF and Navy. <br /> WOMAN POWER<br /><br />Women empowerment remained the central theme of R-Day parade on the ceremonial boulevard, with women contingent of three armed forces marching for the first time. <br /><br />GUM RAISES A STINK<br />Barack Obama, removing his chewing gum and popping it back in his mouth, sent the social media into a tizzy with criticism and explanations as to what it was about.<br /><br />PROTOCOL BREACH<br />Obama violated R-Day protocol as he arrived alone in his ‘Beast’, before President Pranab Mukherjee. He also broke US security protocol by remaining in the open for more than two hours.<br /></p>
<p>India showcased an impressive array of Russian military hardware to United States President Barack Obama, the first American president to be chief guest of the Republic Day parade.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The parade, commanded by Lt Gen Subroto Mitra, general officer commanding of Delhi area, gave Obama a clear indication of the importance that New Delhi had accorded to Moscow over the years as a trusted supplier of key military technologies—ranging from tanks to fighter planes.<br /><br />The mechanised column, comprising T-90 tanks, BMP II infantry combat vehicles and T-72 tanks with trawls, needed for movement in a minefield, are Russian. So is almost the entire flypast team comprising Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 of Indian Air Force, MiG-29K of the Indian Navy and Mi-35 helicopters.<br /><br />India purchased military equipment worth more than $10 billion from the US in the last 10 years. Still, the relationship remains a buyer-seller one. Sensing the drawback, Washington emphasised the inclusion of co-development and co-production in the new defence framework that India and the US finalised during Obama’s visit.<br /><br />Three US-made aircraft—C-17 Globemaster-III and C-130J Super Hercules, operated by the IAF, and P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft of the Navy— also flew past the central boulevard. India and the US are currently negotiating the follow-on contracts for each of these aircraft.<br /><br />Obama gave a thumbs-up to the Border Security Force’s (BSF) “Jaanbaaz” motorcycle team for their daredevil acts on Rajpath. The paramilitary force is celebrating its golden jubilee.<br /><br />Obama, however, violated the Republic Day protocol by arriving alone in his “Beast”, the heavily armoured Cadillac, before President Pranab Mukherjee. Though there was speculation about Obama coming in Mukherjee’s car as per protocol, US security officials ensured that Obama did not travel in any other car.<br /><br />For the first time, the three services deployed an all-woman marching contingent, highlighting the theme of “Nari Shakti” (women’s power).<br /><br />Untimely rain played spoilsport in the first half of the parade as the audience could not bring umbrellas due to security reasons. The VIPs on the saluting dais, however, were protected by umbrellas. The VIP box had bullet-proof glass but it did not have a roof so as to provide a clear view of the flypast.<br /><br />The rain subsided when the tableaux rolled on and cultural activities began. Sixteen states and nine Central government departments showcased India’s varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage.<br /><br />The marching contingents of the Army began with horse-mounted columns of the 61 Cavalry followed by the contingent of all-woman officers led by Captain Divya. <br /><br />The subsequent Army contingents were from the Brigade of the Guards, the Grenadiers, the Jat Regiment, the Sikh Regiment, the Kumaon Regiment, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, the 14 Gorkha Training Centre and the Territorial Army (Punjab). After the Army, came the IAF and Navy. <br /> WOMAN POWER<br /><br />Women empowerment remained the central theme of R-Day parade on the ceremonial boulevard, with women contingent of three armed forces marching for the first time. <br /><br />GUM RAISES A STINK<br />Barack Obama, removing his chewing gum and popping it back in his mouth, sent the social media into a tizzy with criticism and explanations as to what it was about.<br /><br />PROTOCOL BREACH<br />Obama violated R-Day protocol as he arrived alone in his ‘Beast’, before President Pranab Mukherjee. He also broke US security protocol by remaining in the open for more than two hours.<br /></p>
