Disarms fears, saying US jumped the gun on security threat
Besides insisting on its “own snipers” on highrises, a “no-fly zone” in Central Delhi and use of The Beast limousine by its President Barack Obama to reach Rajpath during the Republic Day parade, the US had also pressed for doing away with the customary ‘gun salute’ to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee by the lead tank of the armoured contingents citing security concerns. But just as in the other cases, India refused to accommodate this US request too on the grounds that it was a long-held tradition.
The Republic Day parade this year will see Bhishma T-90 main battle tank leading the tank column and presenting the customary salute by “dipping” the main gun as a salute to President Mukherjee, who is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. The front-facing main gun of the lead tank swivels to its right towards the President precisely at the moment when it approaches the saluting base, and then dips (lowers) marking its salute.
The US had urged the Indian agencies to do away with this ceremony of the gun facing the VVIP fearing security risk to Obama, who will be seated next to Mukherjee. But India refused to comply with the request maintaining that it is a tradition and part of the march-past drill, sources said here on Saturday. In fact, the tanks, including Bhishma
T-90 and T-72 besides BMP armoured personnel carriers, practiced the movement during the full dress rehearsal on Friday. Ten to 12 tanks and BMPs will form part of the armoured column during the parade. These columns drive past the saluting base moments after the parade begins with the GOC-in-C, Delhi area leading it.
After saluting the President, the armoured columns culminate their drive after crossing the India Gate while the other contingents continue their march for more than 10 km till the Red Fort where the parade finally ends. Allaying US fears about the gun salute, Indian agencies assured them that all the tanks are disarmed and do not carry ammunition during the parade. In fact, all the marching contingents where the soldiers carry rifles also do not have bullets. The tanks and rifles are also checked thoroughly before the parade commences, sources said.
The US’s reservations over the Gun Salute came even as uncertainty exists over whether President Obama would accompany President Mukherjee in the latter’s official Mercedes limo or use his own Cadillac called The Beast to reach Rajpath on January 26. The US had also requested for a “no-fly zone” in Central Delhi during the event, but India turned it down saying the IAF and Navy planes will carry out the flypast as it is part of the parade. Incidentally, the 5 km zone around Rajpath housing Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and official residence besides South and North Blocks are no-fly zones for all commercial and military planes throughout the year.
IAF and Navy are given special permission for the flypast on Republic Day and rehearsals preceding it for a few days, they said, adding nearly 35 planes and helicopters will take part this year. India also did not agree to US Secret Service snipers being positioned at all the highrises overlooking the Rajpath. Delhi Police, National Security Guard (NSG) and Special Protection Group (SPG) snipers will man these sensitive positions. They have a long experience in handling these assignments, officials told the US.