(Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is the main guest attending the parade marking Indian Republic Day this Friday.
The parade began at 10:00 local time with a march of units of India's Armed Forces.
The Russian leader accompanied by mounted guards wearing red uniform arrived at the main stand in one car together with Indian President Abdul Kalam. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warmly welcomed them there, reports Trend.
Indian government members, leading political and public figures, members of the Russian delegation accompanying Putin on the two-day official visit and heads of foreign diplomatic representations took nearby seats at the stand.
Tens of thousands of spectators have gathered along the three-kilometre avenue to watch the parade.
Decorated movable platforms representing territories of India, leading departments, industrial companies and scientific organisations and processions of dancers, schoolchildren and orchestras will follow the units of the armed forces. The march will be concluded with a parade of aircraft.
Republic Day was celebrated for the first time in 1950. The country's Constitution adopted in late 1949 declared the Indian Republic on January 26, 1950.