The Republic Day celebrations began Mondya with Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the unknown soldier at the India Gate war memorial.
After Modi laid a wreath at the eternal flame to the unknown soldier, the buglers sounded the Last Post and two minutes of silence was observed.
Modi then signed the Visitor's Book and headed back to the saluting base on Rajpath to weelcome President Pranab Mukherjee and US President Barack Obama, the chief guest on the ocassion.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh, and the three services chief were also present at India Gate.
