. News Analysis

By Ramesh Bhan

New Delhi, Jan 26 (.) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Luís Santos da Costa who were Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on Monday, watched in awe as India showcased its military might and cultural diversity along the majestic Kartavya Path.

Inviting the EU leaders as Chief Guests for the Republic Day is a significant diplomatic move by India with substantial thinking behind it aimed at strengthening the India-EU strategic partnership amid the current geopolitical turmoil and uncertainty.

The invitation to the EU leaders is, indeed, a strategic masterstroke by India and could not have come at a better time.

India and the EU are ‘’on the cusp’’ of signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA),‘’mother of all deals,’’ as Ursula von der Leyen put it. The FTA is being finalised in the backdrop of an unpredictable geopolitical environment.

The European Commission President was very clear when she said on her arrival in India that India and the EU have made a choice of strategic partnership, dialogue and openness and are showing to the world that ‘’another way is possible.’’

‘’India and Europe have made a clear choice. The choice of strategic partnership, dialogue and openness. Leveraging our complementary strengths. And building mutual resilience. We are showing a fractured world that another way is possible,’’ she said.

The statement ‘’showing a fractured world that another way is possible’’ could be a clear indication that Europe wants to tread a new path away from their traditional ally, the US. India with its growing economy, Defence strength, political stability and sturdy market is the best alternative.

India is also viewed by the EU as a primary manufacturing alternative to China. The EU is a vital source of advanced technology and capital.

The EU leaders being Chief Guests at the Republic Day parade is a diplomatic signal, blending national celebrations with critical foreign policy objectives to project India as a reliable, stable, and strategically important global partner.

The two sides realize the importance of deepening their relationship to build resilience to reduce dependencies on potentially unreliable partners.

The visit also marks the unveiling of a new Security and Defence Strategic Partnership. This is the third such comprehensive agreement the EU has signed in Asia after Japan and South Korea. This reflects the interest of both, India and EU, in multi-polarity, a rules-based international order and enhanced security collaboration.

The Security and Defence Partnership covers maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, space, and counter-terrorism operations. Both, the European Commission and the European Council are projecting India as a geopolitical force in Asia.

The Defence and Security Partnership could open doors for European Arms companies.

This the second time during the past eight years that leaders of an important Group have been invited to be Chief Guests at India’s Republic Day parade. The first time was in 2018 when Heads of Government from ASEAN countries were invited as Chief Guests.

India’s Republic Day parade is also different in a way that It celebrates the formation of Republic and adoption of the Constitution. Most countries have military parades to celebrate victory in wars. Russia organises ‘Victory Day celebrations to mark their victory in second World War. France celebrates ‘Bastille Day’ on July 14 to commemorate the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, a turning point in French Revolution.

The India-EU closeness could also raise concerns in the US as India, a strong US ally in Asia, shifts towards the EU.

. RB 1631