Indian Army's Infantry Combat Vehicles are displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi - RTSXF62

First time in 55 years, India will not have any chief guest for the Republic Day parade.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited to be the chief guest of the 72nd Republic Day parade, but the emergence of a new and a more infectious COVID-19 strain back home forced him to cancel his visit.

Last time, it was in 1966, when there was no chief guest for the day no invitations were sent out due to the demise of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on January 11 in Tashkent. The new government led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was sworn in on January 24, just two days ahead of the Republic Day.

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Republic Day 2021 | Parade without chief guest, first time in 55 years

Last time, it was in 1966, when there was no chief guest for the day no invitations were sent out due to the demise of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on January 11 in Tashkent

Indian Army's Infantry Combat Vehicles are displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi - RTSXF62

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