Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Friday (January 16, 2026) announced that European Union leaders Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, will be the chief guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations.
Top EU leaders to visit India as Republic Day guests; likely to sign trade deal
In a briefing to media persons ahead of Republic Day, he said that the 90-minute Republic Day Parade on January 26 along Kartavya Path will be themed around 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, a theme that will also anchor the Beating the Retreat ceremony.
In a symbolic move to end VIP culture, the Defence Secretary announced to the media that enclosures at the Republic Day Parade will be named after rivers of India, while those at the Beating the Retreat ceremony will be named after musical instruments. For the first time, a European naval contingent will also take part in the parade.
First-time showcases
