Republic Day 2026 Chief Guests: Check the List of Global Leaders Invited & How India Selects Them | Explained

Republic Day 2026: India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on Monday, January 26, 2026, with much more than pomp and pageantry. The day wears diplomatic heft beyond the ceremonial display. The Kartavya Path parade this year doubles as a deliberate foreign policy moment: for the first time, the top leadership of the European Union would be in attendance together with a clear signal of the strengthening India–EU partnership at a moment when global trade, security and supply chains are being reconfigured.

Who are Invited for Republic Day 2026 Chief Guest?

Republic Day 2026 is to feature two key dignitaries from European nations as chief guests. The gesture is unprecedented and symbolic as the invitation is extended to the European Council and the European Commission together, which indicates a new and novel desire to have the European Union as a whole on board as a strategic partner, as opposed to engaging individual nations there and holding dialogue on trade, technology and global climate changes.

Who is Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen serves as the President of the European Commission since 2019. She is a doctor by profession additionally, she has decades of experience serving German and before her presidency in the European Commission, she served in various ministerial positions under Chancellor Angela Merkel. These include serving as Germany’s Minister of Defense and her presidency symbolizes the economic aspects of India–EU relations.

Who is António Costa

António Costa has been leading the European Council since 2024 with the joint political leadership of the EU's member countries. He has spent almost nine years serving as Prime Minister of Portugal and is among the longest-tenured figures in modern European politics. As President of the Council, he chairs summits of the bloc and steers agreement on foreign policy, security and strategic alignment from ongoing European backing for Ukraine.

What is the Theme of Republic Day 2026

The theme for the celebration of Republic Day in 2026 has been “150 years of Vande Mataram.” Such a selection of themes honors one of India’s most revered national songs written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1876. According to official reports, such a spectacle will be evident in displays in the Indian Republic Day Parade, culture shows, outreach activities, school competitions with special focus placed on bringing Indian culture directly into India’s freedom fighting narrative and thereby highlighting nationhood itself as part of India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2026.

How India Selects the Chief Guest?

The procedure for choosing a chief guest for the Republic Day involves a formal diplomatic procedure carried out by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office.

• Assessment begins six to eight months in advance
• Strategic alignment in defence, trade and technology is prioritised
• Regional and global influence of the invitee is evaluated
• Ongoing geopolitical developments are factored
• Diplomatic milestones or negotiations influence timing
• Practical aspects such as leader availability and domestic stability matter

The role extends beyond ceremony, often resulting in bilateral meetings and long-term agreements.

Republic Day 2026: Special Guests

Around 10,000 special invitees, including their spouses are to attend the parade to enhance public participation in the country-wide celebrations.

• Medal-winning para-athletes and international sportspersons
• Farmers practising natural and sustainable agriculture
• Scientists and engineers from ISRO, DRDO and Deep Ocean Mission
• Innovators and start-up founders under Semicon India and Bio-E3
• Women entrepreneurs, SHG leaders and Lakhpati Didi beneficiaries
• Artisans trained under PM Vishwakarma and Khadi schemes
• Workers from BRO, NDMA, and Jal Jeevan Mission
• Students from Atal Tinkering Labs and national competitions
• Tribal leaders, Anganwadi workers and social scheme beneficiaries

They will attend events at Kartavya Path and visit key national landmarks in Delhi.

Republic Day Chief Guests: A Complete Historical Record