New Delhi, January 15, 2026 – In a significant diplomatic move, the President of the European Council, António Luís Santos da Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be the Chief Guests at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026. The announcement, made by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, marks only the second time India has invited leaders of a multilateral grouping to grace the occasion, the first being ASEAN leaders in 2018.

The European leaders will be in India on a State Visit from January 25 to 27, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit underscores the strengthening strategic partnership between India and the European Union.

During their visit, Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27. This summit aims to further solidify the India-EU Strategic Partnership and explore collaborations in areas of mutual interest. The leaders are also scheduled to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and hold both restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi.

The visit occurs at a crucial juncture as India and the EU are in the final stages of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Discussions are ongoing to finalize the remaining chapters of the proposed FTA, with both sides committed to a rules-based trading framework and a modern economic partnership. The FTA is expected to be a key highlight of the India-EU Summit.

In addition to the FTA, India and the EU are expected to finalize a Security and Defence Partnership and an agreement on security of information. These agreements will promote collaboration in the defense industry, enhance maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, address hybrid and cyber threats, and ensure the security of critical undersea infrastructure such as data cables.

An India-EU Business Forum is also expected to be organized on the sidelines of the summit, bringing together policymakers and business leaders from both sides. This forum will provide a platform to discuss and explore opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation.

India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004. The 15th India-EU Summit was held virtually on July 15, 2020. Bilateral ties have significantly expanded, particularly after the EU College of Commissioners' visit to India in February 2025. The current visit by the European leaders is expected to further strengthen these ties and advance collaboration in priority areas.

The EU has acknowledged India as a crucial partner. This visit signifies the strengthening bilateral relationship between the EU and India, with the EU leaders attending the Republic Day parade celebrations as guests of honor for the first time. The participation of the EU's top leadership in the Republic Day celebrations and the India-EU Summit will deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and promote collaboration in areas of mutual interest such as trade, security and defence, clean energy transition, and people-to-people cooperation.