Republic Day 2026: European Union Contingent joins grand parade in rare moment – WATCH
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Republic Day 2026: European Union Contingent joins grand parade in rare moment – WATCH")
European Union Contingent joins Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi Photograph: (DD National)
In a rare appearance, the European Union Contingent joined the grand parade at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi as India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on January 26.
In a rare appearance, the European Union Contingent joined the grand parade at the Kartavya Path in New Delhi as India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on January 26. Their participation comes as President Draupadi welcomed the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, to witness the annual parade. The presence of the European Union at India’s Republic Day ceremony symbolises institutional unity and the EU’s operational presence in support of international maritime security.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, along with President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa were the chief guests for this year’s celebration. The European leaders are on a State visit to India from January 25-27. During their visit the EU and India are set to unveil a Security and Defence Strategic Partnership and are finalising the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during the upcoming summit in a significant move to strengthen ties between India and EU.
During the parade, the Indian Armed Forces also showcased their military prowess as this year’s celebrations marked the first since Operation Sindoor. With its long-range missiles, powerful tanks and missile systems, the helicopters fly over, the Indian military displayed its strength at the 77th Republic Day celebration.
At the beginning of the parade, four Mi-17 1V helicopters of the 129 Helicopter Unit shower flower petals over Kartavya Path in the Dhwaj Formation, led by Group Captain Alok Ahlawat. This was followed by a display of T-90 and Arjun tanks, and Nag missiles systems.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) displayed their developing Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM), represented by Scientist and Project Director A Prasad Goud. The High Mobility Reconnaissance Vehicle (HMRV), India’s first indigenously designed Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle, was also spotted in the Republic Day parade. Developed by Mahindra Defence Systems and commissioned in 2023, the HMRV is equipped with battlefield surveillance radars, drones, advanced communication systems, and anti-drone weapons.
Rafale fighter jets were also among those that took part in flypast at the end of the parade. The planes displayed Vijay Formation, flying at 900 kmph at an altitude of 300 metres, before executing a vertical Charlie manoeuvre.
A day earlier on Sunday (Jan 25), President Droupadi Murmu lauded India’s precision strikes against Pakistan, saying, “Last year, our country launched precision strikes against terror infrastructure through Operation Sindoor. Terror centres were destroyed, and many terrorists met their end. Our self-reliance in the field of defence powered the historic success of Operation Sindoor.”
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