EU leaders to be chief guests at Republic Day function

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh connected Friday (January 16, 2026) announced that European Union leaders Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, volition beryllium the main guests astatine India’s 77^th Republic Day celebrations.

In a briefing to media persons up of Republic Day, helium said that the 90-minute Republic Day Parade connected January 26 on Kartavya Path volition beryllium themed astir 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, a taxable that volition besides anchor the Beating the Retreat ceremony.

In a symbolic determination to extremity VIP culture, the Defence Secretary announced to the media that enclosures astatine the Republic Day Parade volition beryllium named aft rivers of India, portion those astatine the Beating the Retreat ceremonial volition beryllium named aft philharmonic instruments. For the archetypal time, a European naval contingent volition besides instrumentality portion successful the parade.

First-time showcases

The parade volition diagnostic respective first-time subject showcases, including the Bhairav Battalion, Shaktibaan regiments, Drone Shakti, and a cosmopolitan rocket launcher. A large item volition beryllium the phased conflict array format of the Indian Army, with commentary explaining the operational roles of formations and equipment. The aerial constituent volition besides beryllium displayed successful conflict array formation, helium said.

Mr. Singh further said that the celebrations volition unfastened with 100 taste artists performing with Indian martial philharmonic instruments. Marching contingents volition see the Bhairav contingent successful ‘Uncha Kadam Taal’ and the Ladakh Scouts, portion an carnal contingent comprising Zanskar ponies, Bactrian camels and dogs volition bespeak India’s divers operational landscape.

A full of 18 marching contingents and 13 bands volition enactment successful the parade. The flypast volition showcase Rafale, Su-30, P-8I, C-130, C-295, MiG-29, Apache, LCH, ALH and Mi-17 craft and helicopters successful assorted formations.

‘Vande Mataram’ volition beryllium the cardinal absorption of Republic Day Celebrations-2026, with tableaux from six States and departments highlighting the theme. Paintings by creator Tejendra Kumar Mitra illustrating verses of ‘Vande Mataram’ volition beryllium displayed astatine Kartavya Path, portion bands volition play its tune during the Beating the Retreat ceremony.

Overall, 30 tableaux — 17 from States and Union Territories and 13 from ministries and services — volition rotation down Kartavya Path, portion 11 States and U.T.s volition besides enactment successful Bharat Parv, making Republic Day-2026 a broad solemnisation of India’s taste practice and subject strength, helium said.