India celebrates Republic Day

NEW DELHI - India on Sunday started its 65th Republic Day celebration with ground-to-air security apparatus put in place in the capital by thousands of armed personnel on the eight-km-long parade route from Rajpath to Red Fort here.

The celebration started with military parades as usual. Among the military strength first showcased at the parade were Indian Army's main battle tank T-90 and minesweepers, followed by army regiments.

Indian Army soldiers march during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 23, 2014. India will celebrate its Republic Day on Sunday. [Photo/Agencies]

Meanwhile, an improvised explosive device blast took place Sunday in the northeast state of Manipur's capital Imphal, without causing any casualties. The blast took place near the divisional commissioner's residence of the city, said local TV CNN-IBN.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and tens of thousands of people attended the celebration.

In his speech to the nation on Saturday evening, Indian President Mukherjee called on Indians to elect a stable government in the general election this year and warned them against " popolist anarchy" by the anti-graft party Aam Aamdi Party which has come to power in the capital last month.

Prime Minister Singh paid tribute to India's dead soldiers at the Indian Gate before the parade started.