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List of Chief Guests on Republic Day (1950-2024)

Republic Day in India is a momentous occasion that commemorates the day when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950. Each year, the nation celebrates this day with great fervor and enthusiasm, showcasing its rich cultural diversity and historical significance. One of the highlights of Republic Day celebrations is the presence of a distinguished Chief Guest, often a foreign dignitary, who graces the occasion with their presence. Over the years, India has had the honor of hosting a plethora of eminent personalities as Chief Guests. This article takes a nostalgic journey through the list of Chief Guests on Republic Day from 1950 to 2024.

Republic Day – Date

Republic Day in India is celebrated annually on January 26th. This significant date marks the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950, replacing the Government of India Act (1935). The day is observed with patriotic fervor, grand parades, and cultural events across the country, symbolizing the sovereignty and democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution.

Republic Day – Inaugural Chief Guest

Sukarno Founding Father of Indonesia – Banknote World

The inaugural Republic Day Chief Guest was Dr. Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia. He graced the occasion on January 26, 1950, marking the first anniversary of the Republic of India. Dr. Sukarno’s presence symbolized the solidarity between the two nations and their shared commitment to independence and sovereignty. Since then, Republic Day has continued the tradition of hosting distinguished Chief Guests from various countries.

Chief Guest on Republic Day 2024

Emmanuel Macron | Biography, Political Party, Age, Presidency, & Facts |  Britannica

In 2024, Emmanuel Macron, President of France honored India as the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations. His presence marked a testament to the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations. The event showcased a fusion of Indian and French cultures, symbolizing the spirit of collaboration and friendship.

Republic Day – Celebrations

Republic Day celebrations in India, held annually on January 26, commemorate the adoption of the Constitution in 1950. The day is marked by grand parades, showcasing military might, cultural diversity, and technological prowess. Patriotism fills the air as the President takes the salute, and the event is graced by a Chief Guest, often a prominent international dignitary, reflecting India’s global camaraderie.

List of Chief Guests on Republic Day (1950-2024)

The first chief guest of Republic Day was Dr. Sukarno who was the first President of Indonesia. This year, the chief guest of Republic Day 2024 is Emmanuel Macron, the President of France.

Here is the list of chief guests on Republic Day from 1950 till 2024:

CHIEF GUEST ON REPUBLIC DAY (1950-2024)
Year Name Country
1950 President Sukarno France
1951 King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah Nepal
1952
1953
1954 King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Bhutan
1955 Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad Pakistan
1956 Chancellor of the Exchequer R. A. Butler United Kingdom
Chief Justice Kotaro Tanaka Japan
1957 Minister of Defence Georgy Zhukov Soviet Union
1958 Marshall Ye Jianying China
1959 Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip United Kingdom
1960 President Kliment Voroshilov USSR
1961 Queen Elizabeth II United Kingdom
1962 Prime Minister Viggo Kampmann Denmark
1963 King Norodom Sihanouk Cambodia
1964 Chief of Defence Staff Lord Louis Mountbatten United Kingdom
1965 Food and Agriculture Minister Rana Abdul Hamid Pakistan
1966
1967 King Mohammed Zahir Shah Afghanistan
1968 Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin USSR
President Josip Broz Tito SFR Yugoslavia
1969 Prime Minister of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov Bulgaria
1970 King of the Belgians Baudouin Belgium
1971 President Julius Nyerere Tanzania
1972 Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Mauritius
1973 President Mobutu Sese Seko Zaire
1974 President Josip Broz Tito SFR Yugoslavia
1975 Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike Sri Lanka
President Kenneth Kaunda Zambia
1976 Prime Minister Jacques Chirac France
1977 First Secretary Edward Gierek Poland
1978 President Patrick Hillery Ireland
1979 Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser Australia
1980 President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing France
1981 President José López Portillo Mexico
1982 King Juan Carlos I Spain
1983 President Shehu Shagari Nigeria
1984 King Jigme Singye Wangchuck Bhutan
1985 President Raúl Alfonsín Argentina
1986 Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou Greece
1987 President Alan García Peru
1988 President Junius Jayewardene Sri Lanka
1989 General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh Viet Nam
1990 Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth Mauritius
1991 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom Maldives
1992 President Mário Soares Portugal
1993 Prime Minister John Major United Kingdom
1994 Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong Singapore
1995 President Nelson Mandela South Africa
1996 President Dr. Fernando Henrique Cardoso Brazil
1997 Prime Minister Basdeo Panday Trinidad and Tobago
1998 President Jacques Chirac France
1999 King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev Nepal
2000 President Olusegun Obasanjo Nigeria
2001 President Abdelaziz Bouteflika Algeria
2002 President Cassam Uteem Mauritius
2003 President Mohammed Khatami Iran
2004 President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Brazil
2005 King Jigme Singye Wangchuck Bhutan
2006 King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud Saudi Arabia
2007 President Vladimir Putin Russia
2008 President Nicolas Sarkozy Farnce
2009 President Nursultan Nazarbayev Kazakhstan
2010 President Lee Myung Bak Republic of Korea
2011 President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Indonesia
2012 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Thailand
2013 King of Bhutan 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 Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed United Arab Emirates
2018 Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Joko Widodo

Thongloun Sisoulith

Prime Minister Hun Sen

Najib Razak

President Htin Kyaw

Rodrigo Roa Duterte

Halimah Yacob

Prayuth Chan-ocha

Nguyễn Xuân Phúc

Brunei

Indonesia

Laos

Cambodia

Malaysia

Myanmar

Philippines

Singapore

Thailand

Vietnam

2019 President Cyril Ramaphosa South Africa
2020 President Jair Bolsonaro Brazil
2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson (cancelled his visit) Brazil
2022
2023 President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Egypt
2024 President Emmanuel Macron France

 

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