New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, the occasion features an extraordinary blend of the 150-year legacy of the national song Vande Mataram, the country’s developmental achievements, military strength and cultural diversity. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Luis Santos da Costa are the Chief Guests for this year’s celebrations.
The European leaders are on a State visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from January 25 to 27.
European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa was born in Lisbon in 1961 and is a leading Portuguese political figure, 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 political outlook centred on openness, respect and international cooperation.
A law graduate from the University of Lisbon, Costa entered politics early by joining the Portuguese Socialist Party. Over the years, he held several key positions, 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).
He became Prime Minister of Portugal in 2015 and served for nine years. During his tenure, Portugal witnessed stable economic growth, sound public finances, reduced unemployment and increased investment in renewable energy. His leadership and consensus-building skills 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, 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 before serving as Germany’s federal minister for family and youth, labour, and defence between 2005 and 2019.
She assumed office as President of the European Commission in 2019 and was re-elected for a second term in July 2024. In her current mandate, von der Leyen is focused on building a more competitive and independent Europe that defends democracy, protects its people, and strengthens defence and security in a changing global environment.
For the 77th Republic Day, Kartavya Path, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhawan to the National War Memorial, has been elaborately decorated to reflect India’s journey. The celebrations highlight the legacy of Vande Mataram, the nation’s development, robust military capabilities, rich cultural diversity and widespread citizen participation.
The parade will feature a European Union (EU) contingent comprising four flag bearers on three gypsies. They will carry the EU 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 Ministries, Departments and Services — will roll down Kartavya Path under the themes ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The tableaux will showcase the 150-year legacy of Vande Mataram alongside India’s rapid progress driven by self-reliance and cultural diversity.
Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev said the visit of the European leaders comes at a critical juncture, as the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), under negotiation for over two decades, is nearing conclusion. EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic also said on Sunday that both sides are close to finalising the agreement.
In a major step to strengthen ties between two of the world’s largest democracies, India and the EU are set to unveil a Security and Defence Strategic Partnership and are closing in on a landmark FTA during the upcoming summit, EU officials confirmed. Describing the moment as the culmination of intensifying relations, officials said both sides now recognise that their security and prosperity are closely linked.
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.
Earlier, President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe and India have chosen strategic partnership, dialogue and openness, adding that both are building mutual resilience. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, she noted that the EU is close to finalising the FTA with India, calling it by some 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. (ANI)
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