Article Posted on : - Jun 23, 2009

Indian military band musicians take part in India's Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Jan. 26, 2008.. A File photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): In a first of its kind, India is sending a marching contingent of 400 troops to France to participate in the French National Day parade on July 14, where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be the guest of honour.

"This will be the first time that Indian troops will march in a foreign country's national celebrations. All the three services will be represented at the parade by 133 personnel each from the Navy and the Air Force and 134 from the Army," Army officials said here.

The Army contingent will include two officers and Junior Commissioned Officers along with 90 other ranks. Troops from Maratha Light Infantry, which won the best marching contingent award during the Army Day parade this year, will represent the Army.

A military band of 35 personnel will also take part in the parade.