India is not pleased with its Republic Day chief guest flying straight to Islamabad after the parade and celebrations. According to The Times of India, India has invited Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to be the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 with an official announcement expected soon.

However, The Times of India report suggests India is wary of his visit being coupled with a proposed three-day visit to Pakistan, following reports of his arrival in Islamabad on the same day. India has raised the issue diplomatically with Indonesia, urging Subianto to avoid flying directly to Pakistan after the celebrations.

Subianto had met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Egypt in December and pledged to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

Indonesia and India share strong ties with Indonesia being India’s largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. This marks the third time India has invited an Indonesian President for Republic Day, the first being the inaugural event in 1950.

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