New Delhi: In a first, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay respects at the National War Memorial instead of Amar Jawan Jyoti along with the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and the three service chiefs before proceeding for the Republic Day parade on January 26.
There will also be no wreath-laying at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate this year on Republic Day.
"For the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the National War Memorial on Republic Day where he would be received by the Chief of Defence Staff and the three services chiefs," Republic Day parade commander Major General Alok Kakkar said on Thursday.
Major General Kakkar said, "The Army Air Defence Corps will for the first time take part as a marching contingent while the Signal Corps contingent will be led by Captain Tanya Shergill who is a fourth Generation Army officer."
Sixteen marching contingents from the Army, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary forces will take part in Republic Day parade.
The Special Forces will also return to the parade after a gap of four years.
Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro will be the chief guest on Republic Day this year. In his four-day visit to India, Bolsonaro will also explore ways to boost trade ties at a time both the large economies are hit by slowdowns.
