[Watch] EU Chief Guests, Silk Route Legacy, India’s Military Might: A Visual Delight At R-Day Parade Today

New Delhi: As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day today (Jan 26, 2026), President Draupadi Murmu presided over the parade in Delhi’s Kartavya Path. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are the chief guests for the celebration. The day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, and is observed with national pride across the country. The parade started around 10.30am.

Watch the 2026 R-Day Parade at Kartavya Path here:

It is the honor of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations.

A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure.

And we all benefit ↓ https://t.co/boeqFGv15Q

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 26, 2026

Early Morning Ceremony: Flag Hoisting & Greetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the nation as celebrations began in the morning. The national flag was unfurled at Kartavya Path, followed by the National Anthem and a 21-gun salute, as per tradition.

Happy Republic Day, India! The U.S. joins the people of India celebrating your country’s adoption of the Constitution and we look forward to seeing what the world’s two largest and vibrant democracies will achieve together in the year ahead. https://t.co/UJJOqjvNe5

— Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) (@State_SCA) January 26, 2026

PM Modi also paid homage to the nation’s fallen heroes by placing a wreath at the National War Memorial before moving to the saluting dais for the parade.

First time in diplomacy: Chief Guests: European Leadership at the Parade

The President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, attended as chief guests of the Republic Day celebrations. The leaders received a guard of honour upon arrival and are expected to engage in strategic discussions with Indian leadership following the parade.

Parade Highlights: Defence, Culture & Technology

The day’s main event — the Grand Parade — began at 10:30 am and showcase India’s defence capabilities, cultural diversity and developmental milestones.

The theme for 2026 is “150 Years of Vande Mataram,” celebrating the legacy of the national song by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Dozens of tableaux from states, Union territories, ministries and departments rolled down Kartavya Path, highlighting both cultural heritage and innovations under the themes Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram and Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Thank You Mr. Bill Gates @BillGates, Chair and Board Member of Gates Foundation, for your warm message congratulating India on its innovation capabilities and its contributions in delivering solutions for the Global South, on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day of India!… pic.twitter.com/TGZvooQGOM

— India In Seattle (@IndiainSeattle) January 26, 2026

Defence Participation

India’s armed forces presented an elaborate lineup of defence hardware and contingents, including BrahMos and Akash missile systems, the ‘Suryastra’ rocket launcher, and the Main Battle Tank Arjun.

Glimpses of the 77th Republic Day of India celebrations at @IndianEmbTokyo pic.twitter.com/Qk6gs92XME

— India in Japanインド大使館 (@IndianEmbTokyo) January 26, 2026

Newly raised units such as the Bhairav light commando battalion and the Shaktiban Regiment made notable appearances.

Around 2,500 cultural performers and military marching contingents took part, with approximately 10,000 special guests invited to witness the spectacle.

What to check out for:

Battle array formation: The Army, for the first time, marched in a sequence that mirrors a real combat scenario, complete with reconnaissance and logistics units.

🇮🇳 Happy 77th Republic Day, India 🇮🇳

A Republic shaped by sacrifice.
A Constitution guided by conscience.
A democracy strengthened by resilience.

The Consulate extends its warm wishes to the people of India on this proud occasion, and reaffirms its deep friendship with a nation… pic.twitter.com/dbbifN4Fbq

— Consulate General of Israel to Southern India (@IsraelBangalore) January 26, 2026

Bhairav battalion debut: The newly-raised Bhairav Light Commando Battalion made its first appearance.

Indigenous firepower: There has been a showcase of the Shaktibaan Regiment and the latest Suryastra weapon systems, highlighting India’s push for self-reliance.

Guests of Honour at India’s 77th Republic Day, EU leaders @antoniocostapm and @vonderleyen will also attend the 16th EU–India Summit in New Delhi—marking renewed momentum in the EU–India partnership. 🇪🇺🇮🇳

Interview source: @timesofindia https://t.co/r0k1fknXcM#EUIndia pic.twitter.com/ws5UGmGHdg

— EU in India (@EU_in_India) January 25, 2026

The flypast: A stunning finale with 29 aircraft, including Rafale jets and LCH Prachand helicopters, soaring over Kartavya Path.

Showcasing the silk route legacy

Two Bactrian camels named Galwan and Nubra lead an animal contingent along Kartavya Path. The double-humped camels, native to Ladakh, paraded alongside Zanskar ponies, indigenous breeds and Army dogs as part of the Indian Army’s Remount & Veterinary Corps formation, the report states. Bactrian camels played a vital role in connecting China and India along the ancient Silk Road. They served as key pack animals that carried people, goods and ideas across Eurasia.

Unity in diversity

At least 100 cultural artists performed in the parade on the theme of ‘Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity’.

Parade commanders

The parade was commanded by Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, General Officer Commanding, Delhi, a second-generation officer. Major General Navraj Dhillon, Chief of Staff, HQ Delhi, a third-generation army officer, will be the Parade Second-in-Command.

1952 :: Girls Doing March Past In Republic Day Parade pic.twitter.com/tlYcC4fcNy

— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) January 25, 2026

Highest gallantry awards: Param Vir Chakra winners Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (retired) and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, and Ashoka Chakra winners Major General CA Pithawalia (retired) and Colonel D Sreeram Kumar followed the parade.

EU contingent: The European Union (EU) contingent comprised four Flag Bearers on three gypsies. They were seen carrying four flags – the flag of the EU, the most recognisable symbol 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, according to NDTV.

🇮🇳 Happy 77th Republic Day, India 🇮🇳

A Republic shaped by sacrifice.
A Constitution guided by conscience.
A democracy strengthened by resilience.

The Consulate extends its warm wishes to the people of India on this proud occasion, and reaffirms its deep friendship with a nation… pic.twitter.com/dbbifN4Fbq

— Consulate General of Israel to Southern India (@IsraelBangalore) January 26, 2026

Wishes from US, China

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed warm Republic Day wishes to India, praising the enduring partnership between the two countries. China’s President ‍Xi Jinping said China and India were “good neighbours, friends and partners” as ⁠he wished President Droupadi Murmu congratulations on the South Asian nation’s Republic Day, the official Xinhua news agency reported on ‌Monday. Xi said ‌that over the past year, China-India relations have continued to improve ‌and develop and are of “great significance for maintaining and promoting world peace and prosperity, reported Xinhua.

1952 :: Republic Day Parade Passing Through Connaught Place, Delhi pic.twitter.com/QM1ekriiTG

— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) January 25, 2026