India’s 77th Republic Day parade showcases military hardware, culture; EU leaders attend as chief guests
India marked its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with a major parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, blending military displays with cultural tableaux. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended as chief guests, underscoring growing EU-India engagement.
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on Monday, 26 January 2026, with a large parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Thousands lined the ceremonial boulevard to watch marching contingents, bands and a moving showcase of India’s defence capabilities, alongside cultural performances and state tableaux.
The parade commemorates the day India’s Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950. This year’s event carried a strong international spotlight because European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended as chief guests, appearing with India’s top leadership during the ceremony.
What the parade highlighted
- A military segment with synchronized marching troops and formations.
- Displays of domestically produced defence equipment, with vehicles and platforms rolling past in sequence.
- A flypast featuring Indian Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets and transport planes.
- Cultural troupes performing folk dances and floats representing India’s regional diversity.
Beyond the capital, Republic Day parades were held in state capitals and major cities under heightened security. The day’s images and scenes captured the event’s dual message: a modernising military and a union of cultures presented on one national stage.
With the EU’s top leaders participating, the ceremony also served as a visual marker of the expanding diplomatic and economic partnership between India and Europe. Their presence on Kartavya Path was positioned as part of a broader engagement calendar during their India visit.