New Delhi, Jan 26: As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day, featuring an extraordinary blend 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 visit to India at 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 leading Portuguese political figure, recognised for his commitment to dialogue, political stability and sustainable development.

Interestingly, he comes from a family with Portuguese, Indian and Mozambican roots, and grew up in a multicultural environment that shaped his political vision based on openness, respect, and international cooperation.

A law graduate from the University of Lisbon, Antonio Costa entered politics at an early age.
He joined the Portuguese Socialist Party and gradually climbed the ranks, holding several key positions in the Portuguese government.

His career has been marked by pragmatic governance and a deep commitment to social justice and democracy.

He became the Prime Minister of Portugal in 2015, and had previously held several 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 position of the Prime Minister for nine years and under his leadership, Portugal experienced a period of stable economic growth, sound public finance, reduced unemployment and increased investment in renewable energy.

His leadership and ability to foster dialogue and compromise among 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 doctor by training, she has dedicated the last 20 years of her life to public service. She first became involved in politics at the local and the regional level. From 2005 to 2019, she was federal minister in charge of family and youth, then labour, and defence in her home country Germany.

She took the helm of the European Commission in 2019 and was re-elected for second term in July 2024. In this second mandate, she is working for a more competitive and independent Europe that defends democracy, protects its people, and takes more responsibility for its defence and security in a changing world.

For the 77th Republic Day, Kartavya Path, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhawan to the National War Memorial, has been elaborately decorated to showcase India’s remarkable journey. The

celebrations will feature an extraordinary blend of the 150-year legacy of the national song Vande Mataram, the country’s unprecedented developmental progress, robust military strength, vibrant cultural diversity, and active participation from citizens across all walks of life.

The parade will feature the European Union (EU) contingent, which will comprise four Flag Bearers on three gypsies. They will be 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.

A total 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 unique mix of 150 years of national song Vande Mataram and the nation’s rapid progress on the back of the growing self-reliance across sectors, dipped in its rich and vibrant cultural diversity.

Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev said that the visit of European leaders comes at a critical time as the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be signed after being in talks for 20-odd years.

EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic said on Sunday that India and the European Union (EU) are nearing the conclusion of the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.

In a significant move 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) during the upcoming summit, EU official confirmed.

Terming the current period as a “culmination of remarkable intensifying relations,” the official noted that both sides now recognize that their security and prosperity are fundamentally linked in a shifting global landscape.

A key deliverable of the summit will be the signing of the Security and Defence Partnership by the EU’s HRVP Kaja Kallas and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This marks only the third such comprehensive agreement the EU has signed in Asia, following Japan and the Republic of Korea.
President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said yestrday that Europe and India have chosen strategic partnership, dialogue and openness.

Von der Leyen said that India and Europe are building mutual resilience.

Earlier in Davos, von der Leyen stated the European Union is close to finalising a Free Trade Agreement with India and noted that some describe it “the mother of all deals”.
Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, she stressed Europe’s intent to expand trade and international cooperation.

She also referred to the scale of the proposed trade deal with India.

“There is still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals. One that would create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP,” von der Leyen said.

New Delhi, Jan 26: Delhi Police has placed the national capital under an extensive security blanket ahead of Republic Day, deploying more than 30,000 personnel across the city as part of a multi-tier security arrangement, officials said.

Nearly 10,000 police personnel have been stationed in the New Delhi district alone, which houses the ceremonial parade route and several high-security installations.

Additional Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahala said elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the celebrations.

To ensure the safety and security of the Republic Day festivities, around 10,000 police officers are stationed in the New Delhi region. Checkpoints, barricades, and all standard operating protocols have been established.

He added that all officers and staff have been briefed in detail about deployment plans, location-specific duties and emergency response measures. Rehearsals and drills have already been conducted to ensure readiness.

Mahala said that over 3,000 CCTV cameras with advanced video analytics and Facial Recognition System (FRS) capabilities have been installed throughout the New Delhi area, including along the parade route and nearby locations.

According to him, the live footage from these cameras is being monitored round the clock through more than 30 control rooms, which are being operated by nearly 150 trained personnel.

Police personnel deployed on the ground are also equipped with AI-enabled glasses integrated with facial recognition and video analytics technology.

“These AI glasses, manufactured in India, are linked in real-time to police databases containing information on criminals, suspects, and proclaimed offenders. If a face matches in a crowded place, it can be identified instantly, enabling swift intervention,” Mahala said.

Officials said the security framework includes multiple layers of barricading, rigorous checking and frisking at all designated entry points, and strict access control along the parade route and adjoining areas.

To further enhance surveillance and mobility, mobile monitoring vehicles equipped with FRS technology have been strategically positioned across the city.

Sniper teams have also been deployed on thousands of rooftops in New Delhi, North Delhi and Central Delhi districts as part of the heightened alert.

Deputy commissioners of police have carried out detailed route inspections and anti-sabotage checks, while security has been intensified in crowded areas such as markets, bus terminals, metro stations and railway stations across Delhi.

Police are also conducting tenant and domestic help verification drives as part of the overall security exercise.

An officer said coordination meetings have been held with police forces of neighbouring states to ensure seamless intelligence sharing, coordination and preparedness during the national event.

The Additional Commissioner of Police urged citizens to follow security advisories and avoid carrying prohibited items strictly.

He also said the seating enclosures have been named after rivers and advised visitors to be aware of their designated enclosure, approach road and entry gate to avoid inconvenience.

New Delhi, Jan 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted the nation on the 77th Republic Day.

In a post on X, he said, “Best wishes on Republic Day. May this occasion add renewed energy and enthusiasm in our collective resolve to build a Viksit Bharat.”

At the 77th Republic Day celebrations on the Kartavya Path, India will display its development journey, cultural diversity and military might, including newly-raised units and mock-ups of major weapon systems deployed during Operation Sindoor.

The overarching theme of this year’s event is 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’.

New Delhi/Srinagar, Jan 25: An Interpol Red Corner notice may soon be issued against Dr Muzaffar Rather, an accused in the white-collar terror module, after his name emerged as a co-conspirator who provided critical logistical support and funding from Afghan soil for the devastating November 10 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, officials said on Sunday.

Rather, a paediatrician by profession and a resident of South Kashmir, has already been declared as a proclaimed offender by a special NIA court.

The Interpol notice for Rather, who provided help in logistics, funding, communication and planning to Dr Umar-un-Nabi, the driver of the explosive-laden car that detonated outside the Red Fort killing over a dozen people, is in the process, they said.

The officials alleged that Rather has emerged as a primary co-conspirator who allegedly orchestrated the attack from abroad after fleeing India. Investigators have traced a trail of logistics, encrypted communications and radicalisation efforts that lead directly to safe havens in Afghanistan, where Rather is currently suspected to be hiding, they said.

The officials said that Umar carried out the suicide attack with support from Rather and Afghanistan-based handlers, who provided logistics, communication, funding, and planning. The officials alleged that Rather played a key role, particularly in liaison and funding.

They said Rather remained in continuous contact with the terrorists and facilitated their communication with Afghanistan-based handlers for information related to bomb-making and operational tactics. Rather left India in mid-August last year, shortly before the Delhi blast, and he first travelled to Dubai and subsequently crossed into Afghanistan, where he is currently hiding.

The officials said the interrogation of other arrested accused in the white collar terror module showed that Rather allegedly assisted in raising funds for the terror module and contributed approximately Rs 6 lakh towards the financial pool of the terror plot. In 2021, Rather had travelled to Turkey along with Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie and Umar and the journey was primarily aimed at establishing contact with external handlers or as a transit attempt towards Afghanistan. Although they did not enter Afghanistan at that time, the trip is considered part of their radicalisation and preparatory network activities, the officials said. After the trip, Rather, Umar and Ganaie, who taught at Faridabad’s Al Falah University, began accumulating vast quantities of chemicals from the open market, including 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur, much of which was stored near the university campus.

The terror plot fell apart when Srinagar police’s meticulous investigation led to Ganaie’s arrest and the seizure of the explosives, which possibly caused Umar to panic and led to the “premature” blast outside the Red Fort. The intricate inter-state terror network was exposed after a small but significant incident of the appearance of JeM posters on walls in Bunpora, Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar on October 19 last year. Srinagar police registered a case and reviewed CCTV footage, leading to the arrest of three locals — Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid — all with prior stone-pelting cases. Their interrogation led to the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic turned Imam from Shopian who allegedly supplied the posters and used his access to radicalise the doctors. The trail led the investigators to the Al Falah University in Faridabad, Haryana, where Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed were arrested, and 2,900 kg of explosive material was seized in November.