India, Jan. 26 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a chief guest at Republic Day 2026 celebrations in New Delhi, emphasised the importance of India to global stability and growth on Monday. Her remarks come at a crucial moment as India and the European Union move closer to finalising a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement, a deal both sides have described as historic in scale and ambition.

"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," von der Leyen, who has decribed the agreement as the "mother of all deals", wrote on X.

Both India and the European Union move closer to what von der Leyen has d...