‘A successful India makes the world more stable’: EU chief’s message after Republic Day parade

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used India’s Republic Day platform to underline New Delhi’s growing global weight, saying that a successful India makes the world “more stable, prosperous and secure”. She made the remarks after witnessing the 77th Republic Day celebrations on Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, 2026.

Von der Leyen attended the parade alongside European Council President Antonio Costa. Their joint presence as chief guests was framed as a signal of the European Union’s interest in strengthening ties with India at a time of shifting global trade patterns and heightened geopolitical competition.

Diplomacy timed to the India–EU summit

The message came just a day before the India–EU summit on January 27. The proximity of the summit to Republic Day events has added diplomatic momentum, with both sides expected to focus on a combination of strategic cooperation and economic partnership.

In public remarks and social media posts cited by Indian outlets, von der Leyen’s emphasis on stability and shared benefits was presented as a pitch for deeper collaboration. For India, the attendance of two top EU leaders at the parade also serves as a high-visibility acknowledgement of India’s role in Indo-Pacific security debates, resilient supply chains and emerging-technology governance.

Officials and analysts anticipate that the summit discussions will range from trade and investment flows to sector-specific partnerships, including clean energy, digital policy, research collaboration and defence-industrial cooperation. The Republic Day visit is expected to help frame the summit as both symbolic and practical—linking ceremony with substantive negotiations.