Explained: Which factors play major role in selecting chief guest for Republic Day

Chandigarh, January 26: Every year, there is chief guest from other country at the Republic Day parade in Delhi. But have you ever thought on what basis this selection is made and what factors are considered while choosing India's Republic Day chief guest.

As per information, the process starts six months prior to Republic Day every year and the most important deciding factor is India's relationship with that country. Other factors that are also considered include political, military and economic interests of India.

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There is a lot that goes behind selecting the chief guest for Republic Day. The Ministry of External Affairs also use this opportunity to strengthen the ties with the country of the chief guest.

Other factor that also plays a major role in selecting the chief guest is the association with the NAM (Non-Aligned Movement). In 1950, President Sukarno from Indonesia was the first chief guest. He was one of the five founding members of NAM. 

Therefore, after considering various factors, the MEA seeks the nod of the Prime Minister and the President. It proceeds further only after getting the requisite approvals. Thereafter, a detailed programme is shared by the  protocol chief with his counterparts from the selected nation. 

Chief guest on Republic Day 2023

With India and Egypt celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year, Egyptian president El-Sisi arrived in India to attend Republic Day parade as chief guest. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five ministers and senior officials, for his official visit from January 24 to 27.Notably, India has also invited Egypt as a 'guest country" during its G20 Presidency. 

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A list of Republic Day chief guests in the last 10 years

2013: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Bhutan

2014: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan

2015: President Barack Obama, United States

2016: President François Hollande, France

2017: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, United Arab Emirates

2018: Ten chief guest, Heads of ASEAN States:

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei

Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia

President Joko Widodo, Indonesia

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, Laos

Prime Minister Najib Razak, Malaysia

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar

President Rodrigo Duterte, Philippines

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Thailand

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúcc, Vietnam

2019: President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa

2020: President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil

In 2021, the then British PM Boris Johnson was invited as the chief guest, but his visit had to be cancelled due to rising Covid-19 cases in Britain.

- PTC NEWS

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