New Delhi, Jan 15 (NationPress) The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, along with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will embark on a three-day State Visit to India from January 25-27, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They have been announced as the Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

During this visit, both leaders will co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit, scheduled for January 27.

The MEA stated, "During their visit, President Costa and President von der Leyen will have an audience with Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji and engage in both restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi. An India-EU Business Forum is also anticipated to take place on the sidelines of the Summit."

Since 2004, India and the European Union have enjoyed a strategic partnership. The 15th India-EU Summit was conducted virtually in 2022. Bilateral relations have strengthened across various sectors, particularly after the significant visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February 2025.

The MEA further noted, "The presence of EU leaders as Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations and the 16th India-EU Summit will enhance the India-EU Strategic Partnership and promote collaboration in areas of shared interest."

Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, and is one of the nation’s most vital celebrations.

The annual Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in the capital showcases marching contingents, tableaux, and displays from the armed forces, drawing large crowds.

Recently, India and the European Union reaffirmed their strong political commitment to resolving outstanding issues through constructive dialogue aimed at achieving a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as stated on January 10.

During recent ministerial discussions, both parties emphasized the critical need to finalize a fair, balanced, and ambitious agreement that reflects their shared values, economic objectives, and dedication to a rules-based trading system, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Piyush Goyal, the Commerce and Industry Minister, recently concluded an important two-day visit to Brussels, marking significant progress in the India-EU FTA negotiations.

In discussions with Maros Sefcovic, the Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, both leaders guided their negotiating teams to address outstanding issues and expedite the agreement's finalization.

The ministerial engagement followed high-level talks between Rajesh Agrawal, the Commerce Secretary, and Sabine Weyand, Director-General for Trade at the European Commission.

Meetings focused on reviewing the progress made across various negotiation tracks, aiming to "narrow divergences" and clarify unresolved issues to facilitate the Ministerial dialogue, as detailed in a statement.

"In their discussions, Goyal and Sefcovic engaged in thorough deliberations on key aspects of the proposed agreement. Both sides acknowledged the steady progress made across multiple negotiation tracks, including Market Access for Goods, Rules of Origin, and Services, among others," it added.