EU Leaders to Attend Republic Day Celebrations as Chief Guests

Top European Union leaders Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen will be the chief guests at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Thursday. 

Costa and von der Leyen will undertake a three-day visit to India beginning January 25 and the two sides are expected to announce firming



up of the much awaited India-EU trade pact during their trip. India and the European Union (EU) have been strategic partners since 2004.

The bilateral ties have expanded and deepened across a wide range of areas, particularly following the historic visit of EU College of Commissioners to India in February last year, the ministry said.