New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, that includes a rare mix of the 150-year legacy of Vande Mataram, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa are the Chief Guests as India marks its celebrations.
The European leaders are on a State go to to India on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from January 25-27.
European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa
President of the European Council, Antonio Costa was born in Lisbon in 1961 and is a number one Portuguese political determine, recognised for his dedication to dialogue, political stability and sustainable improvement.
Interestingly, he comes from a household with Portuguese, Indian and Mozambican roots, and grew up in a multicultural atmosphere that formed his political imaginative and prescient based mostly on openness, respect, and worldwide cooperation.
A regulation graduate from the University of Lisbon, Antonio Costa entered politics at an early age.
He joined the Portuguese Socialist Party and progressively climbed the ranks, holding a number of key positions within the Portuguese authorities.
His profession has been marked by pragmatic governance and a deep dedication to social justice and democracy.
He turned the Prime Minister of Portugal in 2015, and had beforehand held a number of strategic portfolios like Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (1997-1999), Minister for Justice (1999-2002), Member and Vice-President of the European Parliament (2004-2005), Minister of State and Minister for the Interior (2005-2007) and Mayor of Lisbon (2007-2015).
Costa held the place of the Prime Minister for 9 years and underneath his management, Portugal skilled a interval of secure financial progress, sound public finance, diminished unemployment and elevated funding in renewable power.
His management and skill to foster dialogue and compromise amongst EU member states led to his appointment as President of the European Council in December 2024.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen was born in 1958. A medical physician by coaching, she has devoted the final 20 years of her life to public service. She first turned concerned in politics on the native and the regional degree. From 2005 to 2019, she was federal minister accountable for household and youth, then labour, and defence in her dwelling nation Germany.
She took the helm of the European Commission in 2019 and was re-elected for second time period in July 2024. In this second mandate, she is working for a extra aggressive and unbiased Europe that defends democracy, protects its folks, and takes extra accountability for its defence and safety in a altering world.
For the 77th Republic Day, Kartavya Path, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhawan to the National War Memorial, has been elaborately adorned to showcase India’s outstanding journey. The celebrations will characteristic a rare mix of the 150-year legacy of the nationwide track Vande Mataram, the nation’s unprecedented developmental progress, strong army energy, vibrant cultural range, and lively participation from residents throughout all walks of life.
The parade will characteristic the European Union (EU) contingent, which is able to comprise 4 Flag Bearers on three gypsies. They might be seen carrying 4 flags – the flag of the EU, essentially the most recognisable image of the European Union; the flag of the European Union Military Staff; the flag of EU Naval Force Atalanta; and the flag of EU Naval Force Aspides.
A complete of 30 tableaux – 17 of States/Union Territories and 13 of Ministries/Departments/Services – will roll down with a broad theme of ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The tableaux will showcase a singular mixture of 150 years of nationwide track Vande Mataram and the nation’s fast progress on the again of the rising self-reliance throughout sectors, dipped in its wealthy and vibrant cultural range.
Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev stated that the go to of European leaders comes at a important time because the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) might be signed after being in talks for 20-odd years.
EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic stated on Sunday that India and the European Union (EU) are nearing the conclusion of the free commerce settlement (FTA) negotiations.
In a big transfer to bolster ties between two of the world’s largest democracies, the European Union (EU) and India are set to unveil a ‘Security and Defence Strategic Partnership’ and are closing in on a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the course of the upcoming summit, EU official confirmed.
Terming the present interval as a ‘fruits of outstanding intensifying relations,’ the official famous that each side now acknowledge that their safety and prosperity are basically linked in a shifting international panorama.
A key deliverable of the summit would be the signing of the Security and Defence Partnership by the EU’s HRVP Kaja Kallas and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This marks solely the third such complete settlement the EU has signed in Asia, following Japan and the Republic of Korea.
President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen stated yestrday that Europe and India have chosen strategic partnership, dialogue and openness.
Von der Leyen stated that India and Europe are constructing mutual resilience.
Earlier in Davos, von der Leyen acknowledged the European Union is near finalising a Free Trade Agreement with India and famous that some describe it ‘the mom of all offers’.
Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, she pressured Europe’s intent to develop commerce and worldwide cooperation.
She additionally referred to the dimensions of the proposed commerce cope with India.
‘There continues to be work to do. But we’re on the cusp of a historic commerce settlement. Some name it the mom of all offers. One that may create a market of two billion folks, accounting for nearly 1 / 4 of worldwide GDP,’ von der Leyen stated. (ANI)