Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives for the country by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate on Republic Day.
PM Modi was accompanied by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army chief General Bipin Rawat, Air Force chief BS Dhanoa and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba.
After laying the wreath, PM Modi observed a two-minute silence to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.
The Amar Jawan Jyoti, that symbolises a soldier immortality, has a reversed rifle standing on its barrel and crested with a soldier's helmet.
PM Modi on Saturday paid tribute to soldiers
After paying his tribute, the Prime Minister Modi also penned down his message in register at the memorial. This is the fifth time that PM Modi had signed in the register at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
The parade began from Vijay Chowk and passed through Rajpath, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and proceed for the Red Fort. Twenty-two tableaux of states and central government departments was showcased during the 90-minute parade.
The chief guest for the 70th Republic Day was South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi greeted the nation. "Happy Republic Day to all fellow Indians," he tweeted.
"Natural Disasters Increasing Concerns": PM Modi On Independence Day In Pics: 10 Years Of PM Modi's Symbolic Headgears On Independence Day World Lion Day 2024: PM Modi Shares Stunning Pictures, Lauds Conservationists Mamata Banerjee's Sunday Ultimatum To CBI For Death Penalty In Rape-Murder How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan "Prove With Pics Crime Scene Intact": Court To Bengal Over Hospital Vandalism Egyptian Ship Arrested At Paradip Port In Odisha For Outstanding Debt Will Back Any Candidate Announced As Chief Minister Face: Uddhav Thackeray Trump, Musk, And The Importance Of 'Exaggeration' In Storytelling Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.