Diplomatic pomp filled New Delhi’s air on Sunday as EU heavyweights Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen stepped off their flights into the arms of Indian protocol. Greeted with full military honours, the European Council and Commission Presidents are primed to headline India’s 77th Republic Day as chief guests, ahead of a landmark summit.
Commerce and Industry Minister of State Jitin Prasada led the airport welcome for Costa, while von der Leyen received similar courtesies a day earlier. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced on X the ceremonial Guard of Honour, framing it as a booster for the ‘India-EU strategic partnership of trust.’
Costa posted his delight: ‘Feeling honoured in New Delhi for the 16th EU-India Summit, just before India’s 77th Republic Day. From trade and security to sustainable transitions and human connections, our partnership thrives.’ The itinerary peaks with PM Modi’s hosting of the January 27 summit.
Pre-visit, Costa highlighted synergy: ‘India and the EU share duties in safeguarding international rules.’ Discussions will tackle trade pacts, cybersecurity, green hydrogen, and migration policies, reflecting shared priorities in a fractured world order.
This is no routine visit. With the EU’s Global Gateway initiative aligning with India’s infrastructure push, expect announcements on joint ventures in EVs, AI, and critical minerals. Republic Day’s spectacle—tanks rumbling down Rajpath, folk dances swirling—will symbolize India’s democratic vibrancy, inviting EU leaders into a narrative of mutual prosperity.
Analysts predict the summit could fast-track the stalled FTA, injecting momentum into €100 billion-plus annual trade. As tensions simmer globally, India-EU alignment offers a beacon of cooperative multilateralism, fortifying supply chains and democratic values against authoritarian drifts.