India has taken a historic decision for Republic Day 2026. This time the top leaders of the European Union (EU), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will be invited as chief guests. This will be the first time that two top leaders of an international organization will together attend this prestigious national function of India. Both the leaders will reach New Delhi in January 2026, which is considered a symbol of giving a new direction and strengthening to the deepening strategic, economic and diplomatic relations between India and the European Union.

According to the Indian Express report, sources have said that the process of inviting European Union (EU) leaders as the chief guests of Republic Day 2026 is in the final stages. New Delhi and Brussels will soon announce this formal invitation and acceptance. Inviting a foreign leader as the chief guest on Republic Day is considered an important and symbolic step in India’s foreign policy. This selection is not just a formality, but it reflects India’s strategic, economic and geopolitical priorities.

Who was the chief guest in 2025?

India celebrates Republic Day every year on 26 January, which commemorates the implementation of the Constitution in 1950. This event is a symbol of India’s democratic heritage and international friendship. Till now, heads of state or government of many countries have been the chief guests of this function. In 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest, while hosting two top EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa in 2026 will add a new chapter to India’s diplomatic history.

New strength in India-European Union relations

There has been significant progress in relations between India and the 27-member European Union in the last few months. After the visit of top representatives of the European Commission to India in February, dialogue and cooperation between the two sides has gained momentum. On October 20, the European Union approved a new strategic agenda, which aims to take India-EU relations to a new level. This agenda includes finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), promoting cooperation in technical, defence, security and public relations sectors.

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Jaishankar-wang-yi-talks: Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said in a comprehensive talks before the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference on Monday that there has been ‘good progress’ in the last nine months towards normalizing India-China relations. Now both countries should focus on reducing stress on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Differences should not become dispute, competition should not become a struggle
Jaishankar clearly stated in the talks that if the relations between India and China have to be pursued in a ‘positive direction’, then it is necessary that mutual differences do not change in controversy and do not take the form of competition conflict.

Jaishankar’s gesture on business: both countries should avoid restrictions and obstacles
The Foreign Minister spoke of avoiding ‘restrictive business steps’ and ‘obstacles’, which indicates restrictions imposed by China on the export of important minerals. He insisted that removing these barriers is necessary for mutual cooperation.

Positive changes in relations after Kazan meeting: Jaishankar
Jaishankar, while mentioning a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia in October 2024, said that after this India-China relations have gradually moved in the right direction. Now it is the responsibility to retain this speed.

The foundation of progress is made by border peace
He said that the progress of the last nine months is the result of our ability to maintain peace on the borders of India and China. He described this strategic belief as an ‘basic foundation’ of the stable relations between the two countries.

Interest and economic support between people
Jaishankar said that it is important for neighboring countries like India-China to make the exchange among the people normal. This will increase mutual beneficial cooperation, but for this, business obstacles will have to be removed.

The role of India-China relations in global stability
Jaishankar also said that stable and creative relations between India and China are beneficial not only for these two countries, but for the whole world. For this, mutual respect, interest and sensitivity should be given priority.

Repeated already created consent: Do not let the differences deteriorate
The Foreign Minister again reminded in the talks that earlier it was agreed that the differences should not be allowed to change in controversy and competition. Based on this principle, both countries can pursue their relations.

Pakistan News: Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has said that the relations between India and Pakistan are going through the worst phase in their history. However, he also expressed the possibility that there may be a sudden positive change in bilateral relations.

In the program ‘Pakistan-India Relations: Current Status and Further Raha’ organized by the Institute of Peace and Connectivity (IPAC) in Lahore, Kasuri stressed that mutual talks are the only way to resolve the pending issues of both countries.

This thing said about Kashmir issue

Describing India-Pakistan relations as one of the worst phase in history, former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri said that even after the war, New Delhi and Islamabad used to come to the conversation table soon to restore the peace process.

Kasuri, president of the Institute of Peace and Connectivity (IPAC), said that if the two countries lose the opportunity to resolve mutual disputes peacefully, it would be unfortunate. He insisted that there is already an agreed blueprint in the form of a four -point formula for the possible solution of the Kashmir issue.

Masharraf’s formula mentioned

Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri mentioned the Kashmir solution suggested to India by former President Pervez Musharraf. Kasuri, who was the Foreign Minister from 2002 to 2007, said that he had worked on the peace process with the governments of former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. He expressed confidence that despite the current disappointing situation, most of the people of India want peace with Pakistan.

Relationships expected to improve

Kasuri said that despite the challenges and the current conflict, sudden positive changes in India-Pakistan relations are possible. He gave the example of a warm welcome in India and a sudden visit to Lahore in 2015, after Musharraf, who is called the architect of the Kargil war.

He claimed that according to reliable reports, Prime Minister Modi was planning to visit Pakistan in April 2021, where he was expecting to meet the then Prime Minister Imran Khan and restore peace process after visiting Hinglaj Mata Temple. Kasuri said that similar unexpected incidents can happen in future.