Senior European Union figures, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are scheduled to arrive in India as chief guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026. The visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, spans January 25 to 27 and includes a full state visit, the 16th India-EU Summit, and a dedicated business summit.
During their stay, the leaders will witness the Republic Day parade and engage in high-level discussions with Prime Minister Modi. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that the participation will strengthen the India-EU strategic partnership—established in 2004—and advance cooperation across key domains, including the Indo-Pacific region. Trade, security and defence, clean energy transition, and people-to-people ties will feature prominently on the agenda.
A major highlight of the visit is the anticipated conclusion of negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), often referred to as a Free Trade Agreement. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal indicated that both sides are “very close” to finalising the deal, with 20 out of 24 chapters already closed. Intensive virtual engagements continue daily to resolve the remaining issues in time for the leaders’ meeting. Sensitive agricultural products on both sides have been kept off the table to facilitate progress.
The BTA negotiations, initially launched in 2007 and relaunched in 2022, gained significant momentum following Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to India in February 2025, which accelerated the talks. Officials from both parties are working toward having the agreement ready for signature during the summit on January 27.
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The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the EU leaders’ presence as chief guests at the Republic Day event and the subsequent summit will deepen bilateral collaboration in areas of shared interest. António Costa emphasised the importance of the partnership, noting that India is a crucial ally for the EU in upholding a rules-based international order, and the upcoming meeting offers a vital chance to advance joint efforts.
The visit occurs against the backdrop of broader EU trade developments, including its recent agreement with MERCOSUR nations, which has encountered opposition from French farmers over agricultural market access concerns. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Delhi next month for an AI summit, where related issues may arise.
This high-profile engagement underscores the growing momentum in India-EU relations, positioning the Republic Day visit as a pivotal moment for economic and strategic alignment
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