NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to the nation on the 77th Republic Day, urging citizens to uphold unity, pride, and shared responsibility. Emphasising India’s democratic values, he called on people to work together for progress and development, reminding the nation that the Constitution continues to guide India’s journey toward a stronger future.
India marked its 77th Republic Day on Monday, January 26, 2026, by commemorating the day with a grand parade at the India Gate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the entire nation a very "Heartiest Republic Day" in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
"May this grand national festival, a symbol of India's honour, pride, and glory, infuse new energy and enthusiasm into your lives. May the resolve for a developed India grow even stronger—this is my heartfelt wish," PM Modi wrote.
The Republic Day parade started at the Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) that extends from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate.
Participating in India's 77th Republic Day celebrations, this year, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa have been invited as the chief guest.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of Republic Day and stressed on national unity, harmony and working towards making India a developed country.
This is going to be the first Republic Day after Operation Sindoor. Various kinds of tableaus showcasing India's military might are expected to be presented during the parade.
On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day celebrations, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday delivered a breathtaking aerial display over Delhi's Kartavya Path. The stunning spectacle featured several distinct formations, including the Arjan, Varuna, Vajraang, Vijay, and a specialised Operation Sindoor tribute.
As the Republic Day ceremonies concluded, the IAF’s fly-past served as a grand finale, demonstrating a flawless synergy between pilot and technology through high-speed manoeuvres. This year’s fleet consisted of 29 aircraft — comprising 16 fighters, nine helicopters, and four transport planes — launched from five separate airbases.
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"Successful India Makes World Stable": EU Chief Before "Mother Of All Trade Deals"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended India's Republic Day celebrations and said it was an "honour of a lifetime".
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday said that a "successful India" makes the world more "stable, prosperous, and secure", a statement that came ahead of a "historic" trade agreement between New Delhi and the European Union.
von der Leyen, who is on a three-day visit to India, attended India's Republic Day celebrations as a chief guest and said it was an "honour of a lifetime". von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa were the chief guests as India marked its 77th Republic Day.
"A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. And we all benefit," von der Leyen posted on X.
At the India-EU summit, the two sides are set to announce the conclusion of negotiations for the much-awaited free trade deal.
Days before her trip to New Delhi, von der Leyen said that India and the European Union were on the cusp of a "historic trade agreement" that would create a market comprising two billion people accounting for almost a quarter of the global GDP.
"I will travel to India. There is still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals. One that would create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP," she said in an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos last Tuesday.
"And, crucially, that would provide a first-mover advantage for Europe with one of the world's fastest-growing and most dynamic continents. Europe wants to do business with the growth centres of today and the economic powerhouses of this century," she said.
The European Union is India's biggest trade partner, with bilateral trade in goods recording USD 135 billion in the financial year 2023-24.
The EU and India had first launched negotiations for the free trade agreement in 2007, but the talks were suspended in 2013. The negotiations were relaunched in 2022.
India reportedly plans to slash tariffs on cars imported from the European Union to 40% from as high as 110%.
The Indian government has agreed to immediately reduce the tax on a limited number of cars from the 27-nation bloc with an import price of more than 15,000 euros ($17,739), Reuters reported. This will be further lowered to 10% over time, easing access to the Indian market for European automakers like Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, according to Reuters.
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