List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India: Complete Year-Wise List (1950–2026)
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List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India reflects India’s long-standing tradition of welcoming global leaders during one of its most important national celebrations. Every year on 26 January, India celebrates Republic Day to mark the adoption of its Constitution. The presence of a foreign dignitary as the chief guest adds diplomatic value to the event and highlights India’s international relationships.
Over the decades, the List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India has included presidents, prime ministers, monarchs, and senior leaders from different regions of the world. These invitations are not random. They are carefully decided based on diplomatic ties, regional cooperation, and shared global interests. This article explains the background, history, and importance of this tradition in clear and simple language.
Republic Day in India
Republic Day is a national holiday celebrated across India on 26 January every year. It marks the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. This day represents democracy, equality, and the rule of law.
The Republic Day parade held in New Delhi is the main attraction. It showcases India’s cultural diversity, military strength, and social progress. A key feature of the parade is the presence of a foreign leader as the chief guest. The list of Chief Guest of Republic Day India highlights how India uses this platform to strengthen global ties.
Chief Guest on Republic Day 2026
List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India for recent years shows a growing focus on regional and global partnerships. European leaders, Ursula von der Leyen & António Costa, will be the chief guests at the Republic Day 2026. This invitation highlights India’s close relationship with European nations and its commitment to global cooperation. The chief guest’s presence at the parade symbolizes friendship and mutual respect between the two nations. This is a rare occasion where two leaders from the same organization are guests.
First Chief Guest of Republic Day India
Understanding the first chief guest of Republic Day India helps explain how this tradition began. In 1950, when India celebrated its first Republic Day, the President of Indonesia, Sukarno, was invited as the chief guest.
This invitation held great significance. Indonesia was one of the first countries to recognize India’s independence. Inviting its President showed India’s intention to build strong ties with newly independent nations. It also reflected India’s support for anti-colonial movements and peaceful cooperation.
The List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India began with this historic invitation and has continued uninterrupted, except for rare circumstances.
List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India
List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India spans many decades and includes leaders from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.
| List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India (1950-2025) | ||
| Year | Name | Country |
| 1950 | President Sukarno | Indonesia |
| 1951 | King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah | Nepal |
| 1952 | — | — |
| 1953 | — | — |
| 1954 | King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck | Bhutan |
| 1955 | Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad | Pakistan |
| 1956 | Chancellor of the Exchequer R. A. Butler | United Kingdom |
| 1957 | Minister of Defence Georgy Zhukov | Soviet Union |
| 1958 | Marshal Ye Jianying | China |
| 1959 | Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip | United Kingdom |
| 1960 | President Kliment Voroshilov | USSR |
| 1961 | Queen Elizabeth II | United Kingdom |
| 1962 | Prime Minister Viggo Kampmann | Denmark |
| 1963 | King Norodom Sihanouk | Cambodia |
| 1964 | Chief of Defence Staff Lord Louis Mountbatten | United Kingdom |
| 1965 | Food and Agriculture Minister Rana Abdul Hamid | Pakistan |
| 1966 | — | — |
| 1967 | King Mohammed Zahir Shah | Afghanistan |
| 1968 | Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin | USSR |
| 1969 | Prime Minister of Bulgaria Todor Zhivkov | Bulgaria |
| 1970 | King of the Belgians Baudouin | Belgium |
| 1971 | President Julius Nyerere | Tanzania |
| 1972 | Prime Minister Seewoosagur Ramgoolam | Mauritius |
| 1973 | President Mobutu Sese Seko | Zaire |
| 1974 | President Josip Broz Tito | SFR Yugoslavia |
| 1975 | Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike | Sri Lanka |
| 1976 | Prime Minister Jacques Chirac | France |
| 1977 | First Secretary Edward Gierek | Poland |
| 1978 | President Patrick Hillery | Ireland |
| 1979 | Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser | Australia |
| 1980 | President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing | France |
| 1981 | President José López Portillo | Mexico |
| 1982 | King Juan Carlos I | Spain |
| 1983 | President Shehu Shagari | Nigeria |
| 1984 | King Jigme Singye Wangchuck | Bhutan |
| 1985 | President Raúl Alfonsín | Argentina |
| 1986 | Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou | Greece |
| 1987 | President Alan García | Peru |
| 1988 | President Junius Jayewardene | Sri Lanka |
| 1989 | General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh | Vietnam |
| 1990 | Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth | Mauritius |
| 1991 | President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom | Maldives |
| 1992 | President Mário Soares | Portugal |
| 1993 | Prime Minister John Major | United Kingdom |
| 1994 | Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong | Singapore |
| 1995 | President Nelson Mandela | South Africa |
| 1996 | President Fernando Henrique Cardoso | Brazil |
| 1997 | Prime Minister Basdeo Panday | Trinidad and Tobago |
| 1998 | President Jacques Chirac | France |
| 1999 | King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev | Nepal |
| 2000 | President Olusegun Obasanjo | Nigeria |
| 2001 | President Abdelaziz Bouteflika | Algeria |
| 2002 | President Cassam Uteem | Mauritius |
| 2003 | President Mohammad Khatami | Iran |
| 2004 | President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva | Brazil |
| 2005 | King Jigme Singye Wangchuck | Bhutan |
| 2006 | King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud | Saudi Arabia |
| 2007 | President Vladimir Putin | Russia |
| 2008 | President Nicolas Sarkozy | France |
| 2009 | President Nursultan Nazarbayev | Kazakhstan |
| 2010 | President Lee Myung-bak | Republic of Korea |
| 2011 | President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono | Indonesia |
| 2012 | Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra | Thailand |
| 2013 | King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck | Bhutan |
| 2014 | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe | Japan |
| 2015 | President Barack Obama | United States |
| 2016 | President François Hollande | France |
| 2017 | Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed | United Arab Emirates |
| 2018 | Multiple Guests from ASEAN Nations | Various |
| 2019 | President Cyril Ramaphosa | South Africa |
| 2020 | President Jair Bolsonaro | Brazil |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2023 | President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi | Egypt |
| 2024 | President Emmanuel Macron | France |
| 2025 | President Prabowo Subianto | Indonesia |
| 2026 | Ursula von der Leyen & António Costa | European Union (EU) |
Republic Day Chief Guest Significance
Republic Day chief guest significance goes beyond ceremonial importance. It plays a vital role in diplomacy and international relations.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Inviting a foreign leader strengthens ties between India and the guest’s country. It creates opportunities for dialogue, agreements, and cultural exchange.
Global Recognition
The presence of international leaders chief guest Republic Day highlights India’s growing influence in global affairs. It shows respect for India’s democratic values and constitutional framework.
Cultural Exchange
The parade allows guests to witness India’s cultural diversity and heritage. This promotes understanding and mutual appreciation between nations.
Strategic Messaging
The choice of the chief guest of Republic Day parade India often reflects India’s strategic priorities. It signals India’s focus on specific regions or partnerships.
Republic Day Chief Guest Facts
There are several interesting Republic Day chief guest facts. For example, in 1952, 1953, 1966, 2021, and 2022, there was no chief guest. In 2018, India invited ten leaders from ASEAN countries at once. This was a unique moment in the List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India.
Today, the Republic Day chief guest list remains a symbol of India's "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" philosophy. The List of Chief Guest of Republic Day India will continue to grow as India connects with more nations.