2021 R-Day Parade With No Chief Guest; First Time In Last 55 Years

The External Affairs Ministry cleared that the 2021 Republic Day event would be organized without any chief guest, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, this will be the first time in the past 55 years that event would not be attended by any foreign head of state. Earlier, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited as the chief guest for the event who later cancelled his visit citing the COVID-19 surge in the UK.