Pomp, security mark Republic Day

Thousands gathered in New Delhi amid tight security on Tuesday for India's annual Republic Day parade, a pomp filled spectacle of military might featuring camels and daredevil stunt women, with French President Francois Hollande the chief guest.

A contingent of French infantry in India for joint military exercises led the march down the capital's central Rajpath avenue, the first time foreign forces have taken part in the parade.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Hollande as chief guest in a show of solidarity with France after Islamist attacks in Paris last November killed 130-recalling a 2008 assault on Mumbai that killed 166.