European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by European Council President António Costa and potentially other senior EU officials, is poised to grace India's Republic Day parade on January 26, 2026, as the chief guests, marking a significant diplomatic milestone in bilateral relations, according to informed sources quoted by India Today TV.

This high-profile invitation coincides strategically with the scheduling of the forthcoming India-EU summit in New Delhi during the same timeframe, creating an opportune platform for intensified high-level engagements between the two major economic blocs.

Central to the summit's agenda will be substantive advancements toward concluding the protracted Free Trade Agreement, a pact that has been under negotiation for years and is viewed as pivotal for enhancing trade, investment, and strategic cooperation amid evolving global dynamics.

Also Read: Army Chief Gen Dwivedi Does Push-Ups With New Officers After IMA Parade

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal recently affirmed that discussions are progressing steadily across numerous chapters of the agreement, with both sides actively engaged in narrowing divergences through a combination of in-person and virtual deliberations, while cautioning against imposing artificial timelines on such complex multilateral accords.

Building on momentum from the 14th round of negotiations, a dedicated EU negotiating team visited New Delhi from December 3 to 9, 2025, facilitating detailed consultations—including key meetings between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič on December 8 and 9, preceded by talks involving senior trade officials—further underscoring the commitment to resolving outstanding issues and paving the way for a mutually beneficial partnership.

Also Read: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Arrives in Bagdogra for Four-Day West Bengal Visit