India showcased its cultural diversity during a colourful opening ceremony to mark the inauguration of the 12th edition of World Para Athletics Championships, the largest ever in history, here on Thursday.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday declared open the championships, which will see around 2,200 para athletes from 104 countries competing over the next nine days.

"I declare World Para Athletics 2025 open," Mandaviya said at the end of the ceremony that lasted around one hour 45 minutes.

India is the fourth Asian nation after Qatar (2015), UAE (2019) and Japan (2024) to host the world para athletics championships.

The inauguration was preceded by the athletes' parade and 45-minute cultural performance.

Athletes and officials from all 104 participating nations went past t

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