President Barack Obama’s experience at India’s Republic Day celebration may have felt a little like his two presidential inaugurations.
He watched the two-hour parade of military hardware, marching bands and elaborately dressed camels from a rain-soaked, open-air reviewing stand.
Click an image to launch the India’s Republic Day gallery.
U.S. President Barack Obama inspects a Guard of Honor during a ceremonial reception at the Indian Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. Obama is the first American leader to be invited to attend India’s Republic Day festivities, which commence Monday and mark the anniversary of the enactment of the country’s democratic constitution. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
The experience was somewhat similar to his inaugurations in Washington. But it was different in some respects, too.
Obama watched both inaugural parades from an enclosed, glass-fronted reviewing stand that temporarily erected on the north side of the White House. The weather both times was dry and biting cold. There were no tanks or other military hardware doing a slow roll up Pennsylvania Avenue.
No dressed-up camels, either.
But there are always plenty of marching bands.
Musicians play brass instruments atop camels during the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. President Barack Obama is the Chief Guest for this year’s parade. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Republic Day commemorates the anniversary of when India’s constitution came into force in 1950.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Obama to be the celebration’s chief guest, which an Indian TV commentator said is one of the most significant honors India can bestow upon a foreign leader.
Obama is the first American president to attend Republic Day.
He sat between Modi and Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.
On television, Obama was seen smiling as a group of children in blue uniforms danced and clapping after another performance. Michelle Obama, who accompanied her husband, also smiled at a dance performed by a big group of children in bright jumpsuits.
An Indian girl carries a child on her shoulder and watches the Republic Day parade on a screen in the old parts of New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
Indian presidential horse mounted bodyguards stand in a formation as Indian president Pranab Mukherjee, in white box in foreground right, prepares to leave after the Beating Retreat ceremony against illuminated Raisina Hill, which houses India’s most important ministries in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
President Barack Obama stands as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Salma Ansari, wife of Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari, are seated to right, during a reception in the Mughal Gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential palace in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A Jammu and Kashmir state policeman performs a motorcycle stunt during Republic Day parade in Jammu, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)
Spectators watch Indian Air Force fighters perform stunts during the full-dress rehearsal ahead of Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Friday, Jan. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard on a street where the Republic Day parade will march through, as the lane behind is sealed off with a net, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Artists in traditional dresses speak to each other during a media preview displaying a glimpse of culture of different parts of India, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Indian police women take part in a full dress rehearsal ahead of a Republic Day parade in Srinagar, India, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
An Indian soldier stands near camels during rehearsals of the Beating Retreat ceremony at Raisina Hill, which houses India’s most important ministries and the presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
An Indian man carries a child on his shoulder and watch the Republic Day parade on a screen in the old parts of New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
An Indian artist gives final touches to a giant figure that is part of a tableau of Goa state during a media preview displaying a glimpse of culture of different parts of India, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Members of the Indian Army band rehearse for the upcoming Beating Retreat ceremony at Raisina Hill, which houses India’s most important ministries and the presidential palace, in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 19, 2015. The ceremony performed every year on the evening of January 29 by the three wings of the Indian military marks the end of Republic Day festivities. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal)
U.S. President Barack Obama, second right and first lady Michelle Obama, left pose for photographs with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right and Indian President Pranab Mukherjee during a reception hosted by Mukherjee on India’s Republic Day at the presidential palace in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. (AP Photo /Manish Swarup)
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AP Images is the world’s largest collection of historical andcontemporary photos. AP Images provides instant access to AP's iconic photos and adds new content every minute of every day from every corner of the world, making it an essential source of photos and graphics for professional imagebuyers and commercial customers. Whether your needs are for editorial, commercial, or personal use, AP Images has the content and the expert sales team to fulfill your image requirements. Visit apimages.com to learn more.
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