The parade will feature 18 marching contingents and 13 military bands. Special contingents such as the Ladakh Scouts and the Bhairav contingent are scheduled to take part.

The Vande Bharat programme was launched in February 2019 with the introduction of its first trainset, followed by Version 2.0 in September 2022 and Version 3.0 in 2025.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado handed over her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, describing the gesture as “a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”