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A Guest at the Parade: The Chief-Guest Tradition

A layered wave of orange, white and green with a large outlined Ashoka Chakra behind and the words 26th January, Happy Republic Day

Since Sukarno, 1950

The wave rolls forward like a procession and the great outlined wheel presides over it — a fair sketch of the parade itself, which has never marched for India alone.

From its very first edition, Republic Day has seated a friend of the republic in the place of honour: President Sukarno of Indonesia was chief guest at the 1950 parade, and the invitation has gone out across the world every year since — a head of state or government watching the tricolour’s grandest morning from beside its President. The flag hosts the republic; the republic, each 26 January, hosts the world.

Frequently asked questions

Who was the first Republic Day chief guest?

President Sukarno of Indonesia, at the first parade on 26 January 1950.

What is the chief-guest tradition?

Each Republic Day, India invites a foreign head of state or government as guest of honour at the parade — a courtesy as old as the republic itself.

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