European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen touched down in New Delhi on Saturday, kicking off a high-profile visit to India. She will serve as one of the chief guests for the country’s 77th Republic Day celebrations, set to take place on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Kartavya Path in the capital. Joining her as co-chief guest is European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa. The pair’s presence underscores the deepening ties between India and the European Union.
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada was on hand to greet von der Leyen upon her arrival. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the moment on social media, describing it as the start of efforts to shape the future of the India-EU strategic partnership.
The MEA’s spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, noted that the relationship rests on strong mutual trust and common values shared by the world’s two largest democracies.
“A warm welcome to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen, on her State Visit to India. Received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry; and Electronics and Information Technology @JitinPrasada,” a statement from Jaiswal read.
The highlight of Monday will be India’s annual Republic Day parade, a grand display of military strength and national pride. Von der Leyen and Costa will watch the event as honored guests, marking a special occasion in bilateral relations. But the visit extends further. On Tuesday, January 27, the leaders will take part in the 16th EU-India Summit. Discussions are expected to cover a range of topics, with a major focus on wrapping up negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA).
