India celebrates 73rd Republic Day amid security and COVID-19 measures
January 26, 2022, 5:45 pm

India celebrates 73rd Republic Day amid security and COVID-19 measures

Flag of India-national flag/Pixabay

The Xinhua reported that India on Wednesday celebrated the 73rd Republic Day amid tight and adequate security measures and COVID-19 protocols.

The main function was organized at Rajpath in New Delhi. President Ram Nath Kovind unfurled the national flag, and the national anthem was played. In accordance with the tradition, a booming 21-gun salute was also presented to mark the beginning of the parade.

In wake of the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, this year only 5,000 people attended the Republic Day parade program. Authorities allowed only fully-vaccinated adults and children above 15 who had received the first shot.

India-Jaipur-Amber Fort-Fortress/Pixabay

Reports said the parade started at 10:30 a.m. local time, half an hour later than usual, for better visibility.

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Like last year, there was also no chief guest at this year's Republic Day function because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of celebrations, every year New Delhi used to bring a foreign dignitary (head of a country) to attend the function as chief guest.

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According to officials, adequate security measures were in place as huge contingents of police and paramilitary were deployed in Delhi to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.

Source: xinhua

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.