EU Leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa Attend India's Republic Day Parade as Chief Guests

This report focuses on the historic visit of European Union leaders to India for the 77th Republic Day celebrations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa attended the parade at Kartavya Path as chief guests, arriving in a ceremonial buggy with President Droupadi Murmu. Ursula von der Leyen described the invitation as the 'honor of a lifetime' and was seen wearing a traditional brocade bandhkala kurta. The event marked the first time an EU contingent marched in the parade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally briefed the leaders on the significance of various tableaux. The visit is strategically significant amid shifting global alliances and tensions between Europe and the US over Greenland. Discussions between PM Modi and the EU leadership are expected to cover trade, technology, and climate change, with the EU chief describing the potential strategic cooperation as a 'mother of all deals' for the two regions.