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President confers Ashok Chakra on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday conferred the Ashok Chakra on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla during the Republic Day 2026 celebrations in New Delhi, recognising his exceptional contribution and courage.

Following the traditional 21-gun salute by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment, the President presented the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award to the Indian Air Force officer. Group Captain Shukla made history by becoming the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station, marking a landmark moment in India’s space and human flight programme.

As the ceremony unfolded along Kartavya Path, MI-17 helicopters flew overhead, showering flower petals on the marching contingents and dignitaries below. The parade was commanded by Bhavnish Kumar, who led the ceremonial columns past the saluting dais.

The award ceremony formed one of the most significant moments of the Republic Day celebrations, blending military tradition with a tribute to India’s expanding presence beyond Earth.

Army attack helicopters showcase combat power at Republic Day parade

India’s battlefield capabilities took centre stage at the 77th Republic Day Parade as the Army presented a powerful aerial display of its attack helicopter fleet over Kartavya Path. Advanced platforms, including RUDRA, the Apache AH-64E and the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, flew in close formation, underscoring the Army’s ability to deliver precise and lethal support to ground forces across varied terrain.

RUDRA, the armed variant of the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv, featured prominently in the formation led by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Pasha and Group Captain Arunva Pal. Designed for close air support, the platform is capable of engaging enemy infantry, armoured vehicles, tanks and hostile helicopters, acting as a key force multiplier when employed alongside missiles and artillery, reported ANI.

Flying overhead, the Apache AH-64E, commanded by Colonel Vikrant Sharma, presented a formidable sight. Equipped with Longbow radar, Hellfire missiles, rockets and a 30-mm chain gun, the helicopter is capable of day-and-night precision strikes and can neutralise enemy armour at long ranges. The Light Combat Helicopter Prachand, piloted by Lt Col T T Bharadwaj, showcased its high-altitude combat role, combining agility with rapid-response firepower.

President Droupadi Murmu presided over the parade, with Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen attending as chief guests. The parade also marked the first use of a phased battle array format, including aerial elements, reflecting a more operational presentation of the Army’s combat readiness.

Xi calls China and India friends in Republic Day message

China’s President Xi Jinping described China and India as “good neighbours, friends and partners” in a message congratulating Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of India’s 77th Republic Day, according to China’s state-run news agency Xinhua.

In his message, Xi said ties between the two countries had shown steady improvement over the past year and carried wider importance for global peace and prosperity. He reiterated Beijing’s view that a cooperative relationship was the right path for both sides, referring to China and India as the “dragon and the elephant dancing together”.

Xi said he hoped the two countries would expand exchanges and cooperation while addressing each other’s concerns to ensure stable and healthy relations.

China and India, both nuclear-armed neighbours, share a 3,800-kilometre border that has remained disputed since the 1950s. Relations were badly strained after a deadly clash in eastern Ladakh in 2020, following which both sides sharply increased troop deployments along the Himalayan frontier.

Diplomatic engagement gathered pace again last year, with a series of senior-level visits helping ease tensions. Direct flights resumed in 2025, alongside growing trade and investment, against the backdrop of an increasingly confrontational foreign policy posture under U.S. President Donald Trump.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi awarded Vishisht Seva medal on Republic Day

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who emerged as one of the most recognisable faces of the Indian military during Operation Sindoor in 2025, has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honours. The decoration is given for distinguished service of a high order and marks another significant chapter in her career.

President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards for 70 armed forces personnel on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, including six posthumous honours, along with 301 other military decorations across categories. The list features Param Vishisht Seva Medals, Yudh Seva Medals and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals.

Col Qureshi first came into national focus in 2016 when she became the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multinational exercise. At Exercise Force 18, involving ASEAN-Plus countries, she commanded a 40-member team specialising in humanitarian mine action.

Born in 1974 in Vadodara, Gujarat, she comes from a military family and holds a master’s degree in biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University. Commissioned through the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, she built a reputation in signals and operational communications.

She later played key roles during Operation Parakram and flood relief efforts in the Northeast, earning commendations for both. During Operation Sindoor, she addressed the media alongside Vyomika Singh, explaining the conduct of the strikes after the government briefing by Vikram Misri. Col Qureshi has also served with UN peacekeeping forces in Congo, describing her work there as a source of lasting pride.