With South Africa's presence this Republic Day, India increases its engagement with the continent 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit comes when New Delhi is trying to increase its engagement with the continent where China has already made rapid strides.

It's the 11th time when an African leader has been called at India's Republic Day since 1950. In 1971, India invited the then President of Tanzania Julius Nyerere as the chief guest. Nyerere became the first African leader to be at the Republic Day event.

In 2002, India invited an African leader for the Republic Day. In 2002, the then President of Mauritius, Cassam Uteem, was invited by India as the chief guest at the Republic Day event.

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Speaking on Africa day on January 18 in Gandhinagar during Vibrant Gujarat event, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said India has a partnership based on equality with the African continent, one that has a strong historical foundation.

"India has always shared a special bond with the people of Africa and supported their liberation from colonialism and from apartheid. We take pride in our model of cooperation with Africa which is demand-driven, consultative, participative, involves local resources, builds capacity and is based on Africa’s own prioritisation of its needs."

In the last 4 years, there have been 29 high-levelvisits to Africa from India. As many as 35 African leaders visited India in the last 4 years. The 3rd India Africa summit in 2015 was one of the biggest diplomatic engagements under the Modi government. The event saw the participation of 41 heads of state and governments.

New Delhi has already announced to open 18 new embassies and high commissions in Africa. Only last year, India opened its new mission in Rwanda - the current chair for the African Union. When it comes to trade ties, India is the 3rd largest export destination to the continent and 5th largest investor.

Every year on the occasion of the Republic Day, the Indian government leaves no stone unturned to highlight its achievements. India invites countries to showcase the ties it enjoys with them.

Last year, India invited all 10 heads of the ASEAN group for the Republic Day. During the first Republic Day under the Modi government, India invited the then US President Barack Obama, his French counterpart François Hollande. Then in 2017, UAE's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest.

The neighbourhood at Republic Day

India has been inviting its neighbouring countries for its Republic Day celebrations. Bhutanese kings have visited New Delhi as the chief guest at Republic Day parade in 1954, 1984, 2005 and 2013. Afghanistan's King Mohammed Zahir Shah was the chief guest in 1967. Nepal's King Tribhuvan was the guest of honour in 1951 while King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was the guest at the Republic Day parade in 1999. Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was invited for the same in 1991. Sri Lanka was the guest in 1974 and 1988.

Interestingly, Pakistan has been to India's Republic Day twice. In 1955, Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad was the guest at the very first Republic Day parade at Rajpath. In 1965, Pakistan's Food and Agriculture Minister Rana Abdul Hamid was the guest at the Republic Day. Both countries went to war later that year.

Even China has been invited to the event. In 1958, Marshall Ye Jianying was the chief guest at Republic Day event. Bangladesh has never been represented on the occasion.

World Powers at Republic day

Russia has been invited only once in 2007 with Russian President Vladimir Putin representing the country. The Soviet Union was invited 3 times - 1957, 1960, 1968. The United Kingdom and France are at a tie with both the countries being invited 5 times.