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Tri-Services tableau showcases Operation Sindoor at Republic Day parade

Joint operations and military integration will take centre stage at this year’s Republic Day Parade, with the Tri-Services Tableau presenting a detailed narrative of “Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness.” Rolling down Kartavya Path, the tableau will visually trace how the Army, Navy and Air Force planned and executed the operation in close coordination across land, sea and air.

A glass-enclosed integrated operations centre will anchor the display, offering a snapshot of how the campaign unfolded. The sequence highlights precision air strikes, swift naval manoeuvres to secure maritime dominance, and coordinated ground offensives. The tableau also reflects the layered air defence that shielded forces during the operation, with Akash missile systems and the S-400 complementing offensive strikes carried out by the BrahMos missile.

The Indian Navy contingent, comprising 144 sailors, will march under the command of Lt Karan Nagyal, followed by a naval tableau themed “A Strong Navy for a Strong Nation.” It blends history and modern capability, depicting a reconstructed fifth-century stitched vessel, Gurab-class ships of the Maratha Navy, and frontline indigenous platforms, including an aircraft carrier, stealth frigates, a submarine and a naval communication satellite. The display also traces the global circumnavigation of INSV Tarini, with Sea Cadets marching alongside naval personnel.

The Indian Air Force contingent, led by Sqn Ldr Jagdesh Kumar, will be synchronised with a fly-past featuring Rafale, MiG-29, Su-30 and Jaguar aircraft in a spearhead formation. Adding depth to the parade, the Tri-Services Veterans’ Tableau will chart the journey from battlefield service to nation-building, honouring past sacrifice while underscoring continued contribution.

Suryastra rocket system, Bhairav commandos debut at Republic Day parade

A new long-range rocket launcher and a freshly raised commando unit will headline the Army’s evolving profile when the Republic Day parade rolls down Kartavya Path this year, underscoring a growing emphasis on indigenous capability and rapid-force readiness.

Making its parade debut is the Universal Rocket Launcher System, known as ‘Suryastra’, a domestically developed, multi-calibre platform designed for precision surface-to-surface strikes at ranges of up to 300 km. Officials say the system can engage several targets simultaneously across different distances and has demonstrated a circular error probable of under five metres during trials. The launcher can also fire loitering munitions to distances of around 100 km, adding a layer of tactical flexibility.

Alongside it will be the Bhairav light commando battalion, raised in October last year and seen publicly for the first time at the Army Day parade in Jaipur earlier this month. The unit has been conceived to operate between conventional infantry formations and elite special forces, addressing gaps in mobility and rapid-response capability.

The rocket launcher programme gained momentum in July 2025, when the manufacturer signed a technology collaboration agreement with Israel’s Elbit Systems to produce the platform in India. The move aligns with the government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Republic Day parade shifts to battle-ready display with new arms

The Republic Day Parade this year will break from long-standing tradition, placing combat readiness and battlefield realism at the centre of the ceremonial spectacle, as new weapon systems, frontline units, and even military animals make their first appearance on Kartavya Path.

Among the highlights will be the Universal Rocket Launcher System ‘Suryastra’, capable of long-range surface-to-surface strikes, the recently raised Bhairav light commando battalion, and a distinctive animal column featuring Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels. For the first time, the storied 61 Cavalry will ride down Kartavya Path in combat gear rather than ceremonial dress, reflecting the Army’s intent to mirror battlefield conditions more closely.

Several indigenous platforms, accompanied by troops, will move in what officials describe as a phased battle array, beginning with reconnaissance elements and progressing through combat and support units. The Shaktiban Regiment, a new artillery formation equipped with drones, counter-drone systems and loitering munitions, will also debut.

Roughly 6,000 defence personnel, 18 marching contingents and 13 military bands will take part in the 90-minute ceremony. The flypast will feature 29 aircraft, including fighters, helicopters and transport planes.

The parade will open with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tribute at the National War Memorial and will be commanded by Lt Gen Bhavnish Kumar. The overarching theme this year marks 150 years of “Vande Mataram.”

(With agency inputs)

Why Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been roped in for cinema’s first Republic Day tableau

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bollywood’s undisputed sultan of splendour, has been tasked with conceptualising the Indian cinema tableau, ‘Bharat Gatha (India’s Saga)’, with singer Shreya Ghoshal crooning an especially composed song, for tomorrow’s Republic Day parade. Announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, this marks the first time a director has been invited to represent the film industry in the annual event, a decision that is, on the surface, aimed at showcasing cinema’s growing role as a soft power in India’s cultural diplomacy.

On the surface, the decision appears overdue and uncontroversial. Cinema has been one of India’s most influential and visible cultural imports for over a century, shaping popular imagination, language, music, and collective memory. To finally acknowledge it during the nation’s most important ceremonial display seems both logical and celebratory.

Read the full story here. 

PM Modi extends wishes on 77th Republic Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on the 77th Republic Day. In a post on X, Modi wrote, “Heartiest Republic Day greetings to all my fellow citizens. May this grand national festival, a symbol of India's honour, pride, and glory, infuse new energy and enthusiasm into your lives. May the resolve for a developed India grow even stronger, is my heartfelt wish.”

Over 10,800 flights cancelled Sunday as massive winter storm sweeps across US

A massive winter storm made for a brutal travel day Sunday, with widespread cancellations and delays at some of the nation's busiest airports.

Widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million people — more than half the US population — in a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, the National Weather Service said Saturday night. After sweeping through the South, the storm moved into the Northeast Sunday, and was expected to dump about 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimetres) of snow from Washington through New York and Boston.

More than 10,800 flights were cancelled on Sunday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Aviation analytics firm Cirium said that as of Sunday morning, the storm is the highest experienced cancellation event since the pandemic.

By Sunday afternoon, the majority of flights were cancelled at busy airports in the Northeast and elsewhere. LaGuardia Airport in New York closed Sunday afternoon, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency said on its website the busy Queens airport grounded flights until 8 pm.

In Philadelphia, 94 per cent of flights, 326 flights, were cancelled. Ninety-one percent of flights, 433 flights, were cancelled at LaGuardia Airport in New York. New York's John F Kennedy International Airport had 460 flights cancelled, about 79 per cent of flights, according to FlightAware.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport said on its website that all airlines had cancelled departing flights for the day, about 420 flights. Significant disruptions also hit major airport hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Atlanta, home to the nation's busiest airport.

Delhi Police on high alert with over 30,000 personnel, AI surveillance for Republic Day

The Delhi Police is on high alert with over 30,000 personnel deputed citywide in a multi-layered security net for the Republic Day celebrations, officials said. Around 10,000 police personnel are stationed in the New Delhi district alone, which contains the ceremonial parade route and high-security zones, they say.

Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahala said, "For the safety and security of Republic Day celebrations, approximately 10,000 police personnel are deployed in the New Delhi area. Pickets, barricades and all standard operating procedures are in place." Deployment plans, point-wise briefings and contingency measures have been explained to all personnel, and rehearsals have been conducted, he said.

More than 3,000 CCTV cameras equipped with advanced video analytics and Facial Recognition System (FRS) are installed across the New Delhi area, including along the parade route and nearby locations, he said. Live feeds from these cameras are monitored round-the-clock through over 30 control rooms, manned by nearly 150 personnel, he said.

Police on the ground are equipped with AI-glasses integrated with FRS and video analytics. "These India-made AI glasses are linked in real time with police databases of criminals, suspects and proclaimed offenders. If there is a face match in a crowded area, it can be detected immediately, allowing quick intervention," Mahala said.

The security grid comprises a multi-layered barricading, multiple levels of checking and frisking at all designated entry points, and strict access control measures along the parade route and in adjoining areas.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extends R-Day greeting to India

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wished India on Republic Day, as he appreciated Quad cooperation between the countries on defence and other fronts.

He said that the US-India relationship delivers "real results" for the two countries through close cooperation on defence, energy, critical minerals and for the Indo-Pacific region through the Quad.

The US leader extended a special message to India on the country's Republic Day, commemorated on January 26. "On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of India on your Republic Day," Rubio said on Sunday.

"The United States and India share a historic bond. From our close cooperation on defense, energy, critical minerals, and emerging technologies to our multi-layered engagement through the Quad, the US-India relationship delivers real results for our two countries and for the Indo-Pacific region," he said, referring to the grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the US.

Israel launches 'large-scale operation' to locate last hostage in Gaza

Israel said Sunday its military was conducting a “large-scale operation” to locate the last hostage in Gaza, as Washington and other mediators pressure Israel and Hamas to move into the next phase of their ceasefire.

The statement came as Israel's Cabinet met to discuss the possibility of opening Gaza's key Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and a day after top US envoys met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about next steps.

The return of the remaining hostage, Ran Gvili, has been widely seen as removing the remaining obstacle to moving ahead with opening the Rafah crossing, which would signal the US-brokered ceasefire's second phase.

Late Sunday, Netanyahu's office in a statement said that once this search operation is "exhausted and in accordance with the agreement with the United States, Israel will open the Rafah crossing.” The return of all remaining hostages, alive or dead, has been a central part of the first phase of the ceasefire that took effect on Oct 10. Before Sunday, the previous hostage was recovered in early December.

While Israel has carried out search efforts before for Gvili, more detail than usual was released about this one. Israel's military said it was searching a cemetery in northern Gaza near the Yellow Line, which marks off Israeli-controlled parts of the territory.