Japanese PM Abe to be Republic Day chief guest

India will celebrate its 65th Republic Day on January 26

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade at Rajpath here.

The country will celebrate its 65th Republic Day on January 26 when President Pranab Mukherjee will take salute from the contingents of the armed forces and paramilitary forces alongside a rich display of its culture and heritage.

India, sources said, is according high importance to Abe's visit as Japan has been a long standing partner in a host of bilateral and other issues.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were recently in India on a six-day state visit.