For the first time since Independence, a Foreign Army contingent will march alongside Indian troops on the Rajpath as part of the Republic Day parade. The French Army contingent will salute President Pranab Mukherjee and its President Francois Hollande, the chief guest for this year’s Republic Day, while passing the saluting dais.
The French marching group will comprise about 100 personnel with 56 of them already here to take part in the ongoing joint counter-terrorism exercise with the Indian Army in Mahajan ranges in Rajasthan. The remaining lot is expected to land in New Delhi in the next few days for rehearsals, officials said here on Friday.
The joint exercise known as ‘Shakti 2016’ commenced on Friday and is expected to end on January 16 will see 35th Infantry Regiment of 7th Armoured Brigade of France performing counter-terrorism drill with Indian army.
The French Infantry Regiment’s origin dates back to its raising in 1604 at lorraine, France. It has 12 battle honours to its credit and has varied combat experiences, having served in Algeria, Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan, amongst other places.
Incidentally, this year’s Republic Day parade is likely to see reduction in number of marching contingents of the Army and para-military forces. Plans are afoot to make the parade more viewer friendly with martial bands playing melodious tunes, sources said.