European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will be the chief guests at India’s Republic Day parade 2026.
Republic Day 2026: In a significant development for India ahead of the Republic Day celebrations in the country, it has been announced that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will be the chief guests at India’s Republic Day parade on January, 26, 2026. The visit of the top two European leaders Ursula Von Der Leyen And António Costa is planned with the India–EU Summit, where discussions are expected to centre on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and India. Here are all the details you need to know about the India EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa
India and EU deal expected to be signed by Republic Day
The trade talks between the two groups, India and EU deal is expected to be signed by the Republic Day, the European Union’s (EU) top trade official has said, as quoted by various media reports.
“The plan is that, most probably in the second week of January, that [Indian Commerce Minister] Piyush Goyal would come here” for another round of negotiations, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic was quoted as saying by a Politico.
Sefcovic further said, “There is a common determination that we should do our utmost to get to the [free-trade agreement] and use every possible day until the Indian national day.”
Update on India-EU trade relations
The visit of the European Union’s Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security is very important as it was preceded by high-level discussions between the Commerce Secretary and the Director-General Trade, European Commission, in New Delhi on December 7. The dialogue are aimed at emphasising the shared commitment to intensify dialogue and collaboration between the two countries.
