Big diplomatic moment before Republic Day: Jaishankar meets top EU leaders

During the high-level engagements, Jaishankar held meetings with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who are visiting India as chief guests for the Republic Day.

Welcoming the EU leaders, Jaishankar wrote on X: “Delighted to welcome President @EUCouncil António Costa and President @EU_Commission @vonderleyen to India. A great privilege to have them as Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations.”

He expressed confidence that their forthcoming discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would mark a new phase in bilateral ties.

“Confident that their upcoming discussions with Prime Minister @narendramodi will herald a new chapter in India-European Union relations,” he said.

Sharing details of the visit, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X that António Costa was accorded a warm reception upon his arrival in New Delhi. He was received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, and Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada.

Jaiswal added that Costa and von der Leyen were accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour.

“The visit is set to deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership,” he said.

Following his arrival, Costa posted on X: “Honoured to arrive in New Delhi for the 16th #EUIndia Summit, on the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day.”

He highlighted the strength of the growing EU-India partnership, spanning trade and security, clean energy transition, and people-to-people ties.

Costa and von der Leyen will represent the European Union at the 16th EU-India Summit in New Delhi, which will be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to an EU statement, the summit will provide an opportunity to build on the India-EU Strategic Partnership and further enhance cooperation in key areas including trade, security and defence, the clean transition, and people-to-people engagement.