REPORT / WORLDWorld
EU leaders to join India’s Republic Day as guests of honour, ahead of Jan 27 summit
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are set to participate in India’s Republic Day Parade on January 26, ahead of a high-level India–EU summit in New Delhi on January 27.
Why it matters
The European Council said the visit and Republic Day participation signal a strengthening EU–India relationship, tied to a broader strategic agenda spanning prosperity, technology, security and connectivity.
- Costa will travel to India for the summit on January 27, 2026.
- Costa and von der Leyen will attend the Republic Day Parade celebrations on January 26, 2026 as guests of honour.
- The EU noted this is the first time EU leaders attend India’s Republic Day Parade as guests of honour.
What’s expected at the summit
The EU statement references an endorsed strategic EU–India agenda with focus areas including technology and innovation, security and defence, and broader global connectivity themes.
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