India celebrates its 60th Republic Day Monday with a military parade in the capital, New Delhi, to showcase its troops, weaponry and aircraft.
Security is heavy during the festivities, marking the founding of the Indian republic on January 26, 1950.
Thousands of members of the security forces fanned out across India. Officials say anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters were deployed, and police will keep a close watch along the parade route.
U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated the people of India on the occasion. A White House statement says that together, the United States and India can celebrate their shared belief in democracy, liberty, pluralism, and religious tolerance.
Mr. Obama also wished Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a quick recovery following heart surgery on Saturday.
On Sunday, Indian police said they killed two suspected Pakistani militants after a pre-dawn car chase and gun battle on the outskirts of New Delhi.
Local authorities say police recovered AK-47 rifles, grenades and documents that indicate that the two were Pakistani nationals.
Police are investigating whether the pair had links to Lashkar-e-Taiba, the militant group India blames for November's terror attacks in Mumbai that left more that 170 people dead.
Security is heavy during the festivities, marking the founding of the Indian republic on January 26, 1950.
Thousands of members of the security forces fanned out across India. Officials say anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters were deployed, and police will keep a close watch along the parade route.
U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated the people of India on the occasion. A White House statement says that together, the United States and India can celebrate their shared belief in democracy, liberty, pluralism, and religious tolerance.
Mr. Obama also wished Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a quick recovery following heart surgery on Saturday.
On Sunday, Indian police said they killed two suspected Pakistani militants after a pre-dawn car chase and gun battle on the outskirts of New Delhi.
Local authorities say police recovered AK-47 rifles, grenades and documents that indicate that the two were Pakistani nationals.
Police are investigating whether the pair had links to Lashkar-e-Taiba, the militant group India blames for November's terror attacks in Mumbai that left more that 170 people dead.
