US EditionEU Chief Ursula Arrives in New Delhi, to Be Chief Guest for India’s 77th Republic Day
EU leaders attend India's Republic Day as trade talks near completion and a strategic security partnership is set to be formalized, boosting economic and defense ties.
- On January 25, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa arrived in New Delhi as chief guests for Republic Day on Kartavya Path.
- Von der Leyen framed the visit around finalising a long‑delayed trade pact, with both sides saying an EU‑India free trade deal is close after nearly 20 years of negotiations, and she called it `the mother of all deals` earlier this week.
- India's goods trade with the EU totaled about $136 billion in 2024‑25, with around 10,000 special guests attending the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path.
- Holding summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 27, 2026, von der Leyen and Costa aim to press for a trade signing and unveil a Security and Defence Strategic Partnership.
- Seen as a diplomatic signal, the joint invitation marks a shift in India's engagement with the EU as the first joint EU leadership appearance highlights New Delhi's intent to deepen institutional ties amid global trade uncertainty.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Republic Day 2026: Obama To Macron - A Look At Republic Day Chief Guests Over The Years
India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day on January 26, with top European Union (EU) leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa set to attend the grand ceremony as chief guests.
Who are Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, top EU officials and Republic Day chief guests?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, are the chief guests at this year’s Republic Day Parade. Von der Leyen is a German politician and doctor, while Costa, the ex-Portuguese prime minister, has an Indian connection. Their visit assumes importance as India and the EU are set to sign a trade deal
Republic Day: Who have been the chief guests at India's Kartavya Path parade since 2015?
India's Republic Day Parade has long served as a grand stage for international diplomacy, with chief guests symbolising strengthening bilateral bonds. Since 2015, the lineup has featured world leaders from diverse regions, reflecting India's evolving global partnerships amid challenges like the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Barack Obama breaks new ground in 2015 Barack Obama became the first US President to grace the Republic Day Parade as ch…
EU Council President to Visit India on Republic Day Ahead of 16th EU-India Summit
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. On the occasion of India's Republic Day and the 16th EU-India Summit, European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa will be visiting New Delhi in order to enhance strategic and economic relationships between the two regions. World News | EU Council President to Visit India on Republic Day Ahead of 16th EU-India Summit.
Explained: Why EU leaders' India visit matters for the mega trade deal
By linking one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies with a bloc that remains a central pillar of global trade, the deal would reshape supply-chain flows at a time when governments are rethinking their economic dependencies.
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