EU leaders join India’s Republic Day celebrations, marking a historic milestone in ties as New Delhi and Brussels prepare to deepen cooperation on trade, defence and global challenges….reports Asian Lite News
European Union leaders have hailed India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations as a “spectacular celebration” of the country’s rich history and cultural diversity, marking what officials described as a milestone in the evolving strategic partnership between New Delhi and Brussels.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa attended the celebrations in New Delhi as Chief Guests, a rare diplomatic honour that underlined the growing political, security and economic engagement between India and the European Union. Both leaders thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu for the invitation, describing the ceremony as an embodiment of India’s democratic traditions and its ambitions for the future.
The presence of the EU’s top leadership at the annual parade on Kartavya Path carried particular significance this year, as it coincided with renewed momentum in India–EU relations across trade, defence, technology and global diplomacy. The Ministry of External Affairs described the occasion as a “milestone”, noting that it was the first time an EU military contingent participated in India’s Republic Day parade.
For the first time, personnel from the EU Military Staff and the EU Naval Operations ATALANTA and ASPIDES marched alongside Indian contingents, with flag bearers displaying the European Union flag as well as EU military and maritime mission banners. The visual symbolism was widely seen as reflecting a deepening convergence in security cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and maritime domain.
Sharing a video of the parade on social media platform X, Ursula von der Leyen said the display of EU flags during the ceremony was a powerful sign of the expanding security relationship. She noted that the moment would be followed by the formal signing of the EU–India Security and Defence Partnership, expected during the EU–India summit in New Delhi. The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counter-piracy operations, cyber threats, defence industry collaboration and joint training.
The ceremony itself blended military precision with cultural pageantry. President Droupadi Murmu presided over the celebrations, unfurling the national flag as the national anthem played and a 21-gun salute was fired using indigenous 105-mm Light Field Guns. The parade showcased India’s military capabilities, regional cultures and technological achievements, drawing large crowds and international attention.
In a symbolic revival of tradition, the EU leaders were escorted to Kartavya Path by the President’s Bodyguard, the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army, arriving in the historic ‘traditional buggy’ — a practice that had been discontinued for four decades. The gesture added a ceremonial touch to an event already steeped in history and diplomatic meaning.
Antonio Costa, in a post on X, described the celebrations as a magnificent display of India’s diversity and democratic spirit. He thanked President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi for inviting the European Union to participate in the event, calling it a celebration that honoured India’s past while pointing towards its future aspirations.
The Republic Day visit also sets the stage for the 16th EU–India summit, which will be hosted by Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi. Both Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa will represent the European Union at the talks, which are expected to focus on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
According to a statement from the European Council, the summit will build on the EU–India strategic partnership, with discussions centred on trade, security and defence, the clean energy transition, technology and innovation, and people-to-people ties. Leaders are also expected to adopt a comprehensive strategic agenda that outlines long-term cooperation in four major pillars: prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, and connectivity and global issues.
Trade will remain a key focus of the discussions, particularly in the context of the long-running negotiations on an India–EU free trade agreement, which began in 2007 and have regained momentum in recent years. Both sides are also expected to exchange views on global challenges, including the Russia–Ukraine war, the situation in the Middle East, the future of multilateral institutions, and the importance of a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
