India Commemorates 77th Republic Day with Ceremonial Grandeur and Diplomatic Significance
India is celebrating its 77th Republic Day on Sunday with a series of ceremonial events that commenced early in the morning at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The President of India unfurled the national flag, setting the stage for the annual parade that highlights the nation's military prowess, rich cultural heritage, and developmental achievements.
Themes and Commemorations of the Republic Day Parade
The celebrations are taking place along the Kartavya Path stretch, extending from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial. This year's parade is centered around two key themes: 'Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram' and 'Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Notably, the event also marks the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram, adding a layer of historical significance to the festivities.
European Union Leaders Attend as Chief Guests
Adding a strong diplomatic dimension to the celebrations, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Luís Santos da Costa, are attending the Republic Day celebrations as chief guests. Both leaders are on a state visit to India from January 25 to 27, invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The parade will feature a European Union contingent, including four flag bearers on three gypsies, carrying the flag of the European Union, the EU military staff flag, and the flags of EU naval forces Atalanta and Aspides.
Profiles of the Distinguished Chief Guests
Ursula von der Leyen, born in 1958, is a medical doctor by training and has served in public office for over two decades. She held several key ministerial positions in Germany between 2005 and 2019, including family and youth, labour, and defence. Assuming office as President of the European Commission in 2019, she was re-elected for a second term in July 2024. In her current mandate, she focuses on strengthening Europe's competitiveness, democratic institutions, and defence and security capabilities.
Recently, von der Leyen emphasized the strategic partnership between Europe and India, stating, "Europe and India have chosen strategic partnership, dialogue and openness," and adding that both sides are "building mutual resilience." At the World Economic Forum in Davos, she highlighted that the European Union is close to finalizing a free trade agreement with India, describing it as a "historic trade agreement" that could create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP.
Antonio Luís Santos da Costa, born in Lisbon in 1961, is a senior Portuguese political leader with Portuguese, Indian, and Mozambican roots. He holds a law degree from the University of Lisbon and joined the Portuguese Socialist Party early in his career. Costa has served in several key roles, including minister for parliamentary affairs, minister for justice, member and vice-president of the European Parliament, minister of state and minister for the interior, and mayor of Lisbon.
He served as Prime Minister of Portugal for nine years from 2015, during which the country experienced stable economic growth, reduced unemployment, sound public finances, and increased investment in renewable energy. Costa assumed office as President of the European Council in December 2024.
Strategic Context and Upcoming Agreements
During their visit, India and the European Union are expected to unveil a security and defence strategic partnership. This agreement is set to be signed by EU High Representative and Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It will mark only the third such comprehensive defence partnership the EU has signed in Asia, following agreements with Japan and the Republic of Korea.
An EU official described the current phase of ties as a "culmination of remarkable intensifying relations," noting that both sides now recognize that their security and prosperity are closely linked in a changing global environment. EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic has indicated that negotiations on the free trade agreement are nearing conclusion, with foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev noting that the agreement has been under discussion for over two decades.
