EU Leaders Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa Chief Guests at 77th Republic Day

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are joint chief guests at India's 77th Republic Day, themed "150 years of Vande Mataram".
• Their visit coincides with the 16th India–EU Summit, focusing on trade negotiations and strategic cooperation, highlighting the EU's deepening engagement with India.
• Ursula von der Leyen, the first woman to lead the European Commission, oversees EU laws, policies, and has been re-elected for a second term (2024-2029).
• Antonio Costa, President of the European Council since December 2024, is a Portuguese lawyer and former Prime Minister with Indian ancestral roots from Goa.
• Their joint presence at Republic Day and the India-EU Summit signifies a crucial moment for a landmark trade pact and broader strategic alignment between India and the EU.

Why It Matters: EU's top leaders as Republic Day chief guests underscore deepening India-EU strategic and trade ties.