EU chief says a ‘successful India’ makes the world more stable as leaders arrive for summit talks
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that India’s success contributes to a more stable, prosperous and secure world, as she and European Council President António Costa attended the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. The visit sets the stage for the EU-India Summit on 27 January 2026, where both sides plan to advance cooperation across trade, security, technology and climate priorities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her Republic Day visit to New Delhi to frame India’s rise as a global stabiliser, saying that a “successful India” helps make the world more stable, prosperous and secure. Her remarks came as she attended India’s 77th Republic Day parade alongside European Council President António Costa.
The statement lands in a wider geopolitical moment in which Europe is seeking stronger partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and diversified supply chains, while India is pushing for deeper market access, technology collaboration and strategic alignment on key security challenges. The optics of being chief guests at the parade add ceremonial weight to a visit that is designed to be policy-heavy.
Summit focus: trade, security, clean transition and technology
According to the European Council, von der Leyen and Costa are in India to represent the EU at the 16th EU-India Summit scheduled for 27 January 2026 in New Delhi. The agenda is expected to span trade, security and defence, clean transition and people-to-people cooperation, with both sides looking to show progress in areas where strategic interests overlap.
In practical terms, the summit format allows leaders to signal direction at the top level while officials work through details across multiple tracks. Recent years have seen the EU and India highlight technology and innovation alongside classic trade issues, reflecting a shared desire to strengthen resilience—whether in critical minerals, digital governance or industrial partnerships.
For India, the visit underscores the appeal of positioning New Delhi as an indispensable partner for major blocs. For the EU, the messaging emphasises that India’s growth and stability are not just regional factors but are increasingly treated as global public goods—particularly as the rules-based order faces stress in multiple theatres.
The Republic Day appearance, followed by formal summit engagements, effectively turns the week into a high-visibility diplomatic sequence. Beyond ceremonies, the test will be whether the summit delivers clear milestones that match the rhetoric—especially on trade and investment, and on cooperation that can be implemented in industry and government workflows.