Thai premier chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations

Jan 26, 2012, 7:33 GMT

New Delhi - India showcased its military might and cultural heritage in the capital Thursday as the country celebrated its 63rd Republic Day with Thai Premier Yingluck Shinawatra as the guest of honour.

Yingluck, Thailand's first woman premier, joined Pratibha Patil, India's first woman president, who took the salute as the parade marched through a central avenue near the Presidential Palace.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian leaders were also present at the parade, the main attraction of the national celebrations to commemorate the country's 1950 constitution.

After the talks Wednesday, India and Thailand signed six pacts in areas such as defence and security and agreed to conclude a comprehensive free trade pact by mid-2012.

Defence forces displayed their latest armaments.

Colourful tableaux depicting the diverse culture from Indian states and performances by folk dancers and school children followed the marching troops.

More than 25,000 policemen and paramilitary forces were guarding New Delhi as authorities mounted elaborate security arrangements with sharpshooters deployed on high-rise buildings.

Tens of thousands of policemen were on duty in cities including financial hub Mumbai, which has seen several high-profile militant attacks in recent years.

Separatists in insurgency hit India-administered Kashmir were observing a 'Black Day' while Maoist rebels and separatist groups in north-eastern India have also called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebrations.