AI Generated Summary
- The presence of European forces at the parade underscored the increasing convergence between India and the EU on maritime security and defence cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
- Describing the moment as symbolic, von der Leyen said the display reflected deepening security ties and would be followed by the formal signing of a Security and Defence Partnership between the two sides during her visit.
- India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path took on added diplomatic significance this year as the country hosted two of the European Union’s most senior leaders as chief guests, highlighting the expanding strategic, economic and security partnership between New Delhi and Brussels.
India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path took on added diplomatic significance this year as the country hosted two of the European Union’s most senior leaders as chief guests, highlighting the expanding strategic, economic and security partnership between New Delhi and Brussels.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa witnessed the grand parade alongside President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the first time that two top EU leaders have jointly attended India’s Republic Day ceremony. Their presence placed the India-EU relationship firmly in the global spotlight at a moment when both sides are seeking closer alignment on trade, technology, defence and geopolitical stability.
Calling the occasion “the honour of a lifetime,” von der Leyen said that India’s success has implications far beyond its borders. “A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. And we all benefit,” she wrote after the ceremony.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the European leaders, describing their participation as a reflection of the growing strength of ties between India and the EU. He said their visit would inject fresh momentum into cooperation across multiple sectors, underpinned by shared democratic values and common strategic interests.
The Republic Day parade, one of the country’s most significant ceremonial events, was attended by senior members of the Union Cabinet, the top leadership of the armed forces, foreign diplomats and high-ranking officials. The spectacle combined tradition with modernity, featuring colourful cultural displays alongside a showcase of India’s expanding defence capabilities.
Among the highlights was the participation of a small EU military contingent carrying the military staff flag and the flags of the bloc’s maritime operations Atalanta and Aspides. The presence of European forces at the parade underscored the increasing convergence between India and the EU on maritime security and defence cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
Describing the moment as symbolic, von der Leyen said the display reflected deepening security ties and would be followed by the formal signing of a Security and Defence Partnership between the two sides during her visit.
The European leaders are in New Delhi with a high-level delegation and are scheduled to hold summit talks with Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday. The discussions are expected to cover a wide range of issues, including trade, clean energy, digital technologies, supply chains and regional security. Von der Leyen has recently indicated that negotiations between India and the EU are approaching a critical stage, raising expectations of progress toward a long-anticipated trade agreement.
On the ceremonial front, India presented a powerful display of its military preparedness, with elite marching contingents, missile systems and indigenously developed weapons rolling down Kartavya Path. The parade reflected India’s emphasis on self-reliance in defence manufacturing and its ambition to emerge as a major global defence producer.
This year’s Republic Day celebrations thus blended pageantry with diplomacy, sending a clear message about India’s global aspirations and its intention to build enduring partnerships with like-minded regions. The presence of Europe’s top leadership, combined with substantive talks on security and trade, signals that the India-EU relationship is entering a new and more strategic phase.
