India to Host EU Leaders for Republic Day 2026 Amid Major FTA Push

• India will host EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa as chief guests for Republic Day 2026.
• The event coincides with an India-EU Summit, where a significant Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to be signed.
• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, focuses on "European Sovereignty" and economic competitiveness.
• António Costa, President of the European Council, is a master negotiator ensuring EU financial stability and unity on Ukraine.
• Both leaders manage the "Brussels machinery," with von der Leyen proposing and Costa building consensus among EU states.

Why It Matters: India's Republic Day 2026 will feature top EU leaders, signaling a major FTA and strengthened ties.