As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, the festivities feature a unique blend of the 150-year legacy of Vande Mataram and the nation’s cultural and developmental journey. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luís Santos da Costa are the Chief Guests at this year’s celebrations.
The European leaders are on a State visit to India from January 25 to 27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
European Council President Antonio Luís Santos da Costa
Born in Lisbon in 1961, President of the European Council Antonio Costa is a prominent Portuguese political leader, widely recognised for his commitment to dialogue, political stability and sustainable development.
He comes from a family with Portuguese, Indian and Mozambican roots and grew up in a multicultural environment that shaped his vision of openness, respect and international cooperation.
A law graduate from the University of Lisbon, Costa entered politics at an early age after joining the Portuguese Socialist Party. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, holding several key positions in the Portuguese government. His political career has been marked by pragmatic governance and a strong commitment to social justice and democracy.
Costa became Prime Minister of Portugal in 2015 and earlier held several important portfolios, including Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (1997–1999), Minister for Justice (1999–2002), Member and Vice-President of the European Parliament (2004–2005), Minister of State and Minister for the Interior (2005–2007), and Mayor of Lisbon (2007–2015).
Serving as Prime Minister for nine years, Costa oversaw a period of stable economic growth, improved public finances, reduced unemployment and increased investment in renewable energy. His leadership and ability to foster consensus among EU member states led to his appointment as President of the European Council in December 2024.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Born in 1958, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is a medical doctor by training and has devoted over two decades to public service. She began her political career at the local and regional levels and served as a federal minister in Germany from 2005 to 2019, handling portfolios such as family and youth, labour, and defence.
Von der Leyen assumed office as President of the European Commission in 2019 and was re-elected for a second term in July 2024. In her second mandate, she is focused on building a more competitive and independent Europe that defends democracy, protects its people, and strengthens its defence and security in a rapidly changing world.
For the 77th Republic Day, Kartavya Path—stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial—has been elaborately decorated to showcase India’s remarkable journey. The celebrations will highlight the legacy of Vande Mataram, India’s development milestones, military strength, rich cultural diversity, and participation from citizens across all walks of life.
The parade will also feature a European Union contingent comprising four flag bearers on three gypsies. They will carry four flags: the European Union flag, the flag of the European Union Military Staff, the flag of EU Naval Force Atalanta, and the flag of EU Naval Force Aspides.
A total of 30 tableaux—17 from States and Union Territories and 13 from various Ministries, Departments and Services—will roll down Kartavya Path under the themes ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. These tableaux will depict the 150-year legacy of Vande Mataram alongside India’s rapid progress driven by self-reliance and cultural vibrancy.
Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev said the visit of European leaders comes at a crucial time, as the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to be signed after more than two decades of negotiations. EU Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič also said on Sunday that India and the European Union are nearing the conclusion of the FTA talks.
In a significant step to strengthen ties between two of the world’s largest democracies, India and the European Union are set to unveil a Security and Defence Strategic Partnership and are closing in on a landmark FTA during the upcoming summit, an EU official confirmed.
Describing the current phase as the “culmination of remarkably intensified relations,” the official said both sides now recognise that their security and prosperity are deeply interconnected in a changing global landscape.
A key outcome of the summit will be the signing of the Security and Defence Partnership by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This will be only the third such comprehensive agreement the EU has signed in Asia, after Japan and the Republic of Korea.
Speaking earlier, Ursula von der Leyen said Europe and India have chosen strategic partnership, dialogue and openness, adding that both sides are building mutual resilience.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, she noted that the European Union is close to finalising the FTA with India, describing it as “the mother of all deals.”
“There is still work to do, but we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement—one that would create a market of two billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP,” von der Leyen said.(Agencies)
