- From military might to Buddha Dhamma, the 77th Republic Day Parade mirrors India’s twin strengths—power and peace
- Global Buddhist Summit delegates from 40 nations to grace Kartavya Path as honoured guests
- India’s Constitution, compassion, and coexistence converge on the nation’s most iconic stage
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JAN 26
In a powerful confluence of national strength and spiritual wisdom, this year’s Republic Day Parade will showcase not only India’s formidable military capabilities but also its timeless civilisational ethos rooted in peace, compassion, and harmonious coexistence.
Underscoring the relevance of Buddha Dhamma in today’s fractured world, a large contingent of international Buddhist Monks and Nuns from 40 countries, attending the Global Buddhist Summit, will participate as honoured guests at the Republic Day celebrations.
The two-day Global Buddhist Summit, organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) on January 24–25, 2026, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, is themed “Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence.” The gathering reflects India’s enduring message from the Land of the Buddha—advocating peaceful resolution of conflicts, addressing global inequalities, and responding to the ecological crisis through compassion-led dialogue.
Addressing a press conference ahead of the parade, Secretary General of IBC, Ven Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, said,
“at the parade, India will be displaying its might, but it is also the land of Buddha Dhamma, spreading the message of peace, love, and kindness to many countries in the world. We believe in the power of compassion and care. We need peace in the world today and friendly coexistence.”
Highlighting the deeper constitutional and democratic resonance of the occasion, Director General of IBC, Abhijit Halder, noted that Republic Day marks the enforcement of the Constitution of India, whose values echo Buddhist philosophy.
“The Buddhist Sangha was an early model of participatory democracy, influencing the democratic norms and procedures adopted in the Indian parliamentary system,” he highlighted.
He further observed that the parade would symbolically present two defining facets of India to the world.
“At the Parade, there will be the display of Armed Forces; the Naval and Air power and armoured equipment at one end, and on the other the large group of Venerable Monks and Nuns will be manifestation of peace and compassion, a message to the chaotic world at large that for resolution Dhamma is the ultimate path,” he stated.
Adding an international perspective, Deputy Secretary General of IBC, Dr Damenda Porage of Sri Lanka, reflected on India’s spiritual legacy and global role.
“The Buddha Dhamma was the indispensable heritage of India that was spread to my country. We received the Buddhist doctrine along with artisans heralding the spiritual renaissance in Sri Lanka. India stands as the light to the world: displaying both strength and spiritual kindness,” he concluded.
The Global Buddhist Summit brought together over 800 delegates, including 200 overseas participants and around 100 members of the Sangha, alongside diplomats, academicians, scholars, and lay practitioners from across India and abroad—reinforcing India’s role as a moral and spiritual beacon in an increasingly turbulent world.
