Their presence demonstrated India’s stress on upgrading its ‘Look East’ policy to ‘Act East’, a significant outreach in the face of China’s growing influence in the region
The dazzling show of military might and the display of country’s rich cultural tapestry was appreciated by 10 leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who were chief guests at the 69th Republic Day function at Rajpath.
Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Preeti Saran said the leaders personally conveyed their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting them and were deeply appreciative of the precision of arrangements. Their presence demonstrated India’s stress on upgrading its ‘Look East’ policy to ‘Act East’, a significant outreach in the face of China’s growing influence in the region.
The parade saw two tableaux that showcased India’s strong historical, cultural and religious bonds with the ASEAN nations. Named ‘ASEAN-India at 25’, one of the tableaux, made by the Ministry of External Affairs, portrayed historical, civilisational and religious links, depicting the ancient Nalanda University — a renowned centre for learning and Buddhist studies — and ‘Bali Jatra’, a festival held in Odisha to mark the day when ancient ‘Sadhabas’ (Oriya mariners) set sail to the distant lands of Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo (all in Indonesia), and Sri Lanka. The other tableau portrayed the Mahabodhi temple and Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya and Southeast Asian Ramayanas.
The heads of state, sporting crimson Indian scarves, sat on a 100-foot stage enclosed in bullet-proof glass.
Chief of Protocol in the MEA, Sanjeev Verma, said though India has hosted summits of bigger nature, the gathering of 10 VVIPs and their delegation on the eve of Republic Day was unprecedented. Some 150 officials of the ministry were involved in the preparations.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "ASEAN nations")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}