EU’s top two leaders to be Republic Day chief guests as India-EU summit returns after six years

Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa will attend the 77th Republic Day celebrations and co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27

• EU leaders Costa, von der Leyen to be chief guests at India's 2026 Republic Day.
• 16th India-EU Summit to be held in New Delhi on January 27, 2026
• Summit to review progress and set priorities for India-EU strategic partnership

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At the invitation of Narendra Modi, the President of the European Council António Luís Santos da Costa and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will visit India from January 25–27, 2026, serving as Chief Guests at the 77th Republic Day celebrations, the government said.

The visit will culminate in the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27, co-chaired by Prime Minister Modi and the two EU leaders. Costa and von der Leyen will also meet Droupadi Murmu and hold restricted and delegation-level talks with the prime minister. An India-EU Business Forum is expected on the sidelines.

The choice of two EU leaders as joint chief guests is a rare diplomatic signal, showing New Delhi’s view of the European Union as a single strategic partner, not a collection of member states. It also marks a reset after a six-year gap since the last summit in 2020, which was held virtually.

India and the EU have been strategic partners since 2004. Ties gained momentum after the EU College of Commissioners’ visit to India in February 2025, which expanded cooperation across trade, technology, climate, defence-industrial collaboration and supply-chain resilience.

The summit is expected to review progress since 2025 and set priorities for the next phase, with business engagement positioned as a delivery mechanism alongside political dialogue.

Republic Day chief guests traditionally reflect India’s diplomatic priorities. Their presence at the parade, where India showcases military capabilities and preparedness, also signals mutual confidence at a time of shifting global alignments.