Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa to be Chief Guests at Republic Day 2026

It is now confirmed that the top leadership of the European Union will be attending India’s Republic Day Parade on January 26 as the chief guests, and the next day, the India-EU summit will be held. After more than eight years, India and the European Union's group of 27 nations have resumed discussions on several issues. This year’s Republic Day celebrations are set to be particularly special.

For the Republic Day 2026, the European Union's top leadership will be invited as the chief guests. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, will be the chief guests at India’s Republic Day ceremony on January 26. During their visit, discussions are likely to focus on the India-EU summit and trade agreements.

Symbolic Importance of the Visit

Inviting the European Union's top leadership as chief guests for Republic Day is symbolically significant. It reflects New Delhi's intent to strengthen its diplomatic and economic ties with the European Union. This move comes at a time when relations between India and the EU have seen growing proximity, especially after the European Union Commissioners’ visit to India in February 2025, which paved the way for greater cooperation in trade, defense, and technology.

India-EU Trade Agreement Talks

On December 8, India and the European Union resumed long-awaited discussions on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in New Delhi, with both sides aiming to conclude the talks by the end of this year. This meeting is crucial as both India and the EU are working to resolve the remaining differences in this ambitious agreement.