India Flexes Military Muscle at Republic Day Parade [PHOTOS]

India has once again showcased its military might at the 65<sup>th Republic Day parade at the ceremonial boulevard of Rajpath in New Delhi amid tight security.

India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, flanked by his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, who was the chief guest, was among the dignitaries at the army parade.

According to the Press Trust of India, he was the first Japanese prime minister to attend a Republic Day parade in New Delhi. India and Japan are in the process of strengthening their economic and defence cooperation.

Amid loud cheers from thousands of spectators, fighter aircraft roared across the sky as contingents of troops marched.

The recently added battle tank Arjun MK-II, dubbed as Desert Ferrari, and transport aircraft C-130J Super Hercules were the main attractions of the parade apart from the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas.

Scores of other missiles were also on display.

As there were terror threats to the ceremony, there was heavy deployment of security forces.

While there were 50,000 security personnel positioned in various parts of the capital, more than 35,000 forces were at Rajpath to prevent any untoward incident.

Snipers were placed in key places and drones hovered over the capital on the eve of the event. Mobile teams and anti-aircraft guns were also stationed in various places as part of the vigil.

"Some 125 buildings around the Rajpath have been sealed and rooftop surveillance mounted to keep subversive activities at bay," said Mukesh Kumar Meena, Joint Commissioner of Police in Delhi.