‘A successful India makes the world more stable’: Ursula von der Leyen after Republic Day parade
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a successful India makes the world “more stable, prosperous and secure” after attending India’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. The visit by von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa comes ahead of India–EU summit discussions expected to focus on trade, security and strategic cooperation.
Von der Leyen’s message from New Delhi
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her Republic Day visit to New Delhi to underline the European Union’s view of India as a stabilising global force. After attending the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path on January 26, 2026, she said that a successful India makes the world “more stable, prosperous and secure”.
Von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa attended as chief guests, a rare joint appearance by the EU’s top institutional leaders at India’s flagship national ceremony. Their presence was positioned as a high-profile marker of India–EU ties at a time of shifting global alignments.
India–EU summit focus: trade and strategy
The Republic Day engagement was scheduled a day before summit-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions are expected to cover multiple tracks, including trade, security cooperation and wider strategic coordination between India and the EU.
For New Delhi, the optics of EU leadership at the parade reinforces a broader diplomatic push to deepen partnerships with major blocs. For the EU, the trip signals interest in closer engagement with India on both economic and geopolitical priorities.
Why this matters beyond ceremony
Symbolic diplomacy often sets the tone for substantive negotiations. With von der Leyen and Costa visible at Republic Day, the message is that ties are being upgraded from routine engagement to a more strategic partnership built around shared interests and practical cooperation.
The statement also reflects a broader framing: India’s growth and resilience are being cast not just as national achievements but as a factor in international stability, at a time when multiple regions face economic and security uncertainty.