India’s Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2026 are expected to carry strong diplomatic significance, with European Union (EU) leaders likely to attend as chief guests. According to media reports, the EU has officially accepted India’s invitation, underlining the growing importance of the India–EU Strategic Partnership at a time of shifting global economic and geopolitical alignments.

The expected chief guests include Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and António Costa, President of the European Council. Their joint presence reflects the EU’s identity as a unified political and economic bloc, rather than a collection of individual member states.

Ursula von der Leyen is known for steering major EU initiatives such as the European Green Deal and the Competitiveness Compass, aimed at strengthening the EU’s economic resilience amid competition from the United States and China. António Costa, who assumed office as President of the European Council in 2024, plays a key role in coordinating EU summits and shaping diplomatic consensus among member nations. His previous experience as Prime Minister of Portugal adds political depth to EU leadership.