India, Jan. 15 -- European Union (EU) leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa will be the chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 and participate in the India-EU Summit, which is expected to witness the conclusion of a trade deal currently in the final stages of negotiation.

The external affairs ministry and the EU on Thursday formally announced that the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission will participate in Republic Day, a move publicly acknowledged by leaders of several EU states in recent days. The two sides are currently engaged in last-mile negotiations to give shape to the free trade agreement (FTA) to be unveiled at the India-EU Summit on January 27.

This is only the second t...