This Republic Day, French Soldiers Will March down Rajpath along with the Indian Army

On January 26th this year, India’s 67th Republic Day, the country will witness something unique — a foreign contingent marching with Indian troops in the Republic Day parade.

French President Francois Hollande is this year’s chief guest. While the Indian and French heads of state oversee the celebrations, Indian and French troops will together march down Rajpath.

This is the first time a foreign army will participate in India’s Republic Day celebrations.

Image for representation only. Source: Twitter

A 56-member French contingent of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 7th Armoured Brigade is already in Rajasthan to take part in a joint exercise. Known as “Shakti 2016”, it will focus on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency.

The 35th Infantry Regiment has a number of battle honours to its credit and is over 400 hundred years old — it was raised in 1604 in Lorraine, France.

Featured image for representation only. Source: Wikipedia (left); Wikipedia (right)

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