NEW DELHI: In a historic moment for India-European Union relations, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa jointly attended India's 77th Republic Day celebrations as chief guests on Monday. This marked the first time that two top European Union leaders have been honored together at this prestigious national event held at Kartavya Path.
Von der Leyen's Powerful Statement on India's Global Impact
Following the ceremonial parade, Ursula von der Leyen took to social media platform X to express her sentiments about the occasion. "It is the honor of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations," she wrote. "A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. And we all benefit." This statement underscores the growing recognition of India's expanding influence on the international stage and its crucial role in maintaining global equilibrium.
Grand Republic Day Celebrations and Distinguished Attendees
The Republic Day parade unfolded with President Droupadi Murmu unfurling the national flag, showcasing India's military strength, indigenous defence capabilities, and rich cultural heritage. The event was attended by:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
- Senior cabinet ministers
- India's top military leadership
- Foreign diplomats and senior officials
Adding to the international flavor of the celebrations, a European Union military contingent led by Colonel Frederik Simon Spruijt participated in the parade, symbolizing the deepening defense cooperation between India and the EU.
Upcoming India-EU Summit and Strategic Discussions
Von der Leyen and Costa, who are on a state visit accompanied by a high-level delegation, are scheduled to hold summit-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. These discussions are expected to focus on several critical areas of bilateral cooperation:
- Trade relations and economic partnerships
- Security collaborations and defense agreements
- Strategic cooperation on global issues
- Technological and innovation partnerships
Historical Context of Republic Day Chief Guests
India traditionally invites foreign leaders as chief guests for its Republic Day celebrations, using the occasion to strengthen diplomatic ties. Recent chief guests have included:
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (2023)
- French President Emmanuel Macron (2024)
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (2023)
Notably, there were no chief guests in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Over the years, the parade has been graced by numerous global leaders including former US President Barack Obama, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries, reflecting India's growing diplomatic engagements across continents.
The presence of two top EU leaders at this year's Republic Day celebrations signals a significant elevation in India-EU relations and sets a positive tone for the upcoming summit discussions that could shape the future trajectory of this important strategic partnership.
