NEW DELHI,24 Jan 2026 : European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will be the chief guests at India’s 77th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path here on January 26.
This historic joint invitation signifies a strong diplomatic move as also a major shift in New Delhi’s engagement with the EU as a unified strategic partner, underscoring strengthening economic and strategic ties ahead of crucial trade talks.
This marks the first time that top European Union leadership has been invited together for India’s Republic Day, signalling a major shift in New Delhi’s engagement with Brussels.
The 2026 invitation is historic for more than one reason. While India has hosted several global leaders over the decades, this is the first occasion when the European Union’s top political leadership will attend as a collective representation of the EU.
The move reflects India’s growing recognition of the EU as a single strategic partner, rather than a group of individual countries.
It also comes at a crucial time, with trade talks between India and the European Union gaining momentum.
The presence of Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa is being seen as a strong diplomatic signal ahead of ongoing trade negotiations.
Earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, von der Leyen described the upcoming India–EU trade pact as “the mother of all deals”, hinting at a potentially historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two sides.
The timing of the Republic Day invitation suggests:
–Strengthening economic and strategic ties
–Renewed momentum in India–EU trade talks
–Growing cooperation on technology, climate, defence and supply chains
–Europe’s interest in India as a long-term strategic partner.
Ursula von der Leyen is the President of the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm. Her role includes shaping EU policy, overseeing trade negotiations, and representing the bloc globally on economic and strategic matters.
As the President of the European Council, António Costa chairs EU summits and represents the collective interests of EU member states. His presence highlights political unity within the bloc.
India has always invited a single leader at each Republic Day parade since 1950 while no invitations were extended in 1952, 1953, 1966 and 2022.
