NEW DELHI: India’s 75th Republic Day parade has begun with an impressive display of its military might and rich cultural heritage at the Kartavya Path in the heart of the national capital.

President Droupadi Murmu, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived around 10:30 at the venue in a traditional buggy. The President who is leading the nation with the 90-minute parade on the ceremonial boulevard then unfurled the tricolour. The national anthem was sung followed by the ceremonial 21-gun salute using indigenous gun system 105-mm Indian Field Guns.

The armed forces are displaying an array of home-grown weaponry and military equipment such as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles at the parade.

For the first time, an all-women tri-services contingent is part of the event.

Also, the parade is being heralded by over 100 women artistes playing Indian musical instruments such as Sankh, Naadswaram, and Nagada for the first time instead of the traditional military bands.

Around 15 women pilots will later enthral the audience during the Indian Air Force’s fly-past, representing ‘Nari Shakti’.