President of EC, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, & Commission President, Ursula Von Der Leyen, arrive in India for Republic Day celebrations

New Delhi, January 25
President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, were accorded a Guard of Honour and a ceremonial welcome at the airport in New Delhi today.

The leaders are on a state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Costa and Ms Leyen will be the chief guests for the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartvya Path tomorrow.

European Council President António Costa arrived in New Delhi today, while European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen and Vice-President of the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, arrived yesterday. During the visit, the leaders will explore the next phase of the India-European Union (EU) Strategic Partnership.

India and the EU share a partnership rooted in mutual trust and shared values. India’s engagement with the EU highlights its strategic focus on Europe, aligned with the upcoming India-EU Summit and the ongoing Free Trade Agreement. As of 2024, over 9 lakh 31 thousand Indians resided in the European Union, including more than 16 thousand Blue Card holders.

In the past two decades, more than 6 thousand Indian students received Erasmus Mundus scholarships, highlighting India-EU mobility and educational ties. The visit of the European Union leaders underscores the government’s intent to elevate India-EU relations as a core pillar of its global and European strategy.