A Historic First: EU’s Top Leadership Graces Kartavya Path as Republic Day 2026 Chief Guests
Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa become first EU representatives as Republic Day chief guests in 2026.
India is gearing up to celebrate its 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026, with a special honour for the European Union. For the first time ever, top EU figures—President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa—will grace the occasion as chief guests, symbolising deepening ties between India and the bloc.
The tradition of inviting foreign dignitaries as chief guests began decades ago and reflects India’s strategic partnerships and diplomatic priorities. Over the years, the parade at Kartavya Path has welcomed an impressive array of global leaders.
Notable past chief guests include US President Barack Obama (2015), the first American president to attend, and French Presidents François Hollande (2016) and Emmanuel Macron (2024), highlighting the strong India-France defence and strategic relationship. Other prominent names feature Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE (2017), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (2019), Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (2020), Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (2023), and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (2025).
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In a unique gesture, all 10 ASEAN leaders were collectively invited in 2018 to underscore India’s Act East Policy. The years 2021 and 2022 saw no foreign chief guests due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s EU focus aligns with India’s growing engagement in trade, technology, and global issues with Europe. The invitation continues a proud legacy of hosting world leaders who witness India’s military might, cultural diversity, and national pride during the grand Republic Day parade.
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