India marks 77th Republic Day with Kartavya Path parade and EU leaders as chief guests
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with a major parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, showcasing military hardware, cultural tableaux and flypasts. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended as chief guests, underlining deepening India–EU ties ahead of the 27 January summit.
A Republic Day parade centred on strength and culture
India marked its 77th Republic Day on Monday, 26 January 2026, with the main celebration on New Delhi’s Kartavya Path drawing large crowds and heavy security. The annual parade commemorates the Constitution coming into force on 26 January 1950 and remains the biggest public showcase of India’s military, ceremonial traditions and cultural diversity.
The boulevard parade featured marching contingents from the armed forces and paramilitary units, bands, and formations of domestically produced defence equipment moving past the official enclosure. The event also included cultural performances and floats representing regions and themes from across India, reflecting the country’s “unity in diversity” on the national day.
Military hardware and a flypast over the capital
As in past editions, the parade highlighted India’s defence capabilities through a visual display of systems and vehicles. The programme culminated in an air force flypast, with fighter jets and transport aircraft passing over the ceremonial route, reinforcing the day’s message of readiness and national pride.
Why this year’s chief guests mattered
A notable diplomatic highlight this year was the presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa as chief guests for the Republic Day parade. Their participation was widely viewed as symbolic of closer India–European Union engagement and came just ahead of high-level India–EU meetings scheduled for 27 January 2026.
The visit and their role at Republic Day also linked the ceremonial event to policy conversations expected at the summit, including economic cooperation, technology and strategic issues. The optics of the top EU leadership attending India’s national day served as a signal of momentum in the relationship at a time when both sides are seeking stronger partnerships.