India celebrates 77th Republic Day with EU leaders as chief guests at Kartavya Path
India marked its 77th Republic Day in New Delhi with a full ceremonial parade on Kartavya Path, led by President Droupadi Murmu. The presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Luís Santos da Costa as chief guests added strong diplomatic messaging around India–EU ties and a shared strategic agenda.
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with the traditional parade and ceremonial proceedings along Kartavya Path in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the national flag as the national anthem played, accompanied by a 21-gun salute, while the parade showcased military capabilities, cultural tableaux and themes around nation-building.
This year’s Republic Day carried an unusually prominent international dimension. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Luís Santos da Costa attended as chief guests, underlining the growing political and economic weight of India–EU engagement. Their visit was framed as a state visit spanning 25–27 January 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Organisers highlighted national themes and commemorations, including a special focus on “Vande Mataram” as a cultural marker in the Republic Day narrative. The wider programme combined defence display, public spectacle and diplomatic signalling, reflecting how the annual event is used not only to commemorate the Constitution’s adoption but also to project India’s priorities and partnerships.
Beyond pageantry, the optics of senior EU leadership at the saluting base reinforced a message that India’s external partnerships are expanding beyond crisis-driven engagement into structured cooperation. The visit also draws attention to ongoing discussions in areas such as trade, security, technology and supply chains, which have become central to India–Europe conversations.
With Delhi hosting the day’s major ceremonies and international guests, Republic Day 2026 underscored India’s attempt to blend tradition with strategic outreach. The event functioned as a domestic celebration of constitutional democracy while simultaneously serving as a platform for diplomatic signalling and relationship-building with key partners.