The Republic Day Parade in India is a grand celebration of the country’s independence, democracy, and military. Each year, a prominent leader from another country is invited as the Chief Guest to join the celebrations. This article highlights the list of Chief Guest from 1950 to 2025, showcasing India’s global relationship over the years.
First Chief Guest on India’s Republic Day 1950
In 1950, Indonesia’s President Sukarno became the first foreign leader to be invited as the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations. His visit marked a significant moment in the strengthening of ties between India and Indonesia. Sukarno’s presence symbolized the shared values of independence and democracy between the two nations. This historic event highlighted the growing global significance of India’s Republic Day celebrations on the world stage.
Chief Guest on Republic Day 2025
In 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations. This visit marks an important step in strengthening the relationship between India and Indonesia. It shows how both countries are improving their cooperation in defense and other important areas. The invitation highlights the growing friendship and shared interests between the two nations.
List of Chief Guests on Republic Day from 1950 to 2025
The Republic Day of India has been marked by hosting esteemed Chief Guests from the world every year since 1950, reflecting India’s global friendships and diplomatic ties.
Here is the list of Chief Guests on Republic Day from 1950 to 2025:
Year | Name | Country |
1950 | President Sukarno | Indonesia |
1951 | King Tribhuwan Bir Bikram Singh | Nepal |
1954 | King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck | Bhutan |
1955 | Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad | Pakistan |
1956 | Chancellor of the Exchequer R.A. Butler | United Kingdom |
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 |
1967 | King Mohammed Zahir Singh | Afghanistan |
1968 | Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin | USSR |
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 Mobuto Sese Seko | Zaire |
1974 | President Josip Broz Tito | SFR Yugoslvania |
1975 | Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike | Sri Lanka |
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 Valery Giscard d’Estaing | France |
1981 | President Jose Lopez Portillo | Mexico |
1982 | King Juan Carlos I | Spain |
1983 | President Shehu Shagari | Nigeria |
1984 | King Jigme Singye Wangchuck | Bhutan |
1985 | President Raul Alfonsin | Argentina |
1986 | Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou | Greece |
1987 | President Alan Garcia | Peru |
1988 | President Junius Jayewardene | Sri Lanka |
1989 | General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh | Vietnam |
1990 | Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth | Mauritius |
1991 | President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom | Maldives |
1992 | President Mario 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 Mohammad 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 | France |
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 Wanghuck | Bhutan |
2014 | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe | Japan |
2015 | President Barack Obama | United States |
2016 | President Francois Hollande | France |
2017 | Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed | United Arab Emirates |
2018 | Multiple Guests from ASEAN Nations | Various |
2019 | President Cyril Ramaphosa | South Africa |
2020 | President Jair Bolsonaro | Brazil |
2021 | Prime Minister Boris Johnson | United Kingdom |
2023 | President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi | Egypt |
2024 | President Emmanuel Macron | France |
2025 | President Prabowo Subianto | Indonesia |