Did government hold back on display of military might, wonders Congress leader Manish Tewari

NEW DELHI: , Jan 26 (PTI) As India showcased its rich cultural diversity and military might with the US President Barack Obama watching today at the 66th Republic Day parade, Congress leader Manish Tewari questioned why the government did not display its strategic assets this time.

Citing a media report, the former Union minister wondered whether the usual list of display was maintained at this year's parade vis-a-vis India's weapon delivery systems.

"Was there a departure from norm in exhibiting the core & delivery systems of our N- weapons in R-Day Parade? If so why & under whose pressure," Tewari said on Twitter.

"A News Channel reports for the first time in 16yrs the core & delivery system of our N-Weapons not exhibited(.) That is the departure from norm," he added.

Explaining the tweets, Tewari said that the Agni missile and various other elements of India's strategic programmes in terms of weapon delivery systems have always been displayed at the Republic Day parade.

"Surprisingly it seems that they were conspicuous by their absence at today's Republic Day Parade. This has never happened in the past... Government has to answer whether this was a deliberate exception. Why was an exception made this time? Was there any other pressure?," the former Information and Broadcasting Minister said.