India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on Monday (today) with grandeur and patriotic fervor as President Droupadi Murmu presided over the ceremonial parade at Kartavya Path in the national capital.
Adding global significance to the occasion, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, attended the celebrations as Chief Guests.
In keeping with tradition, the national flag was unfurled, followed by the singing of the national anthem and a resounding 21-gun salute. The salute was rendered using 105 mm Light Field Guns, an indigenously developed artillery system, by the 1721 Ceremonial Battery of the 172 Field Regiment, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
This year’s celebrations also witnessed a symbolic and inclusive departure from convention. The enclosures along Kartavya Path were named after India’s rivers, replacing the traditional ‘VVIP’ and similar labels.
Rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Krishna, Narmada, Periyar, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Kaveri, Sindhu, Sutlej, Teesta, Vaigai and several others lent their names to the seating areas, reflecting the nation’s civilizational heritage and unity. Layout maps and banners were installed at regular intervals around the parade venue to assist guests.
A major highlight of the 2026 parade was the celebration of 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, which formed the central theme of the ceremonial proceedings.
Rare prints of paintings by artist Tejendra Kumar Mitra, depicting the opening stanzas of the iconic song, adorned the enclosure backdrops along Kartavya Path. Written in 1875 by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Vande Mataram became a powerful rallying cry during India’s freedom movement and was later adopted as the national song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950.
The sesquicentenary was further reflected in the official invitation cards, which carried a special logo marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, featuring a silhouetted image of Chatterjee and the song’s title as a watermark. In addition, musical performances by bands of the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), held across various cities from January 19 to 26, were also themed around Vande Mataram.
The 77th Republic Day celebrations stood as a powerful tribute to India’s constitutional values, cultural legacy and democratic spirit, blending tradition with meaningful symbolism on a day of national pride.
On the occasion, leaders from across the globe extended warm greetings to India, acknowledging its role as the world’s largest democracy and a key global partner. Messages highlighted India’s growing influence in international affairs, its economic resilience, technological advancements and contributions to peace, sustainability and multilateral cooperation.
Several world leaders commended India’s leadership in global forums, its commitment to democratic institutions, and its efforts in addressing shared challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, global health and inclusive growth.
The greetings underscored the strengthening of bilateral and multilateral ties with India and expressed optimism for deeper cooperation in the years ahead.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest emphasized the enduring significance of the Indian Constitution as a guiding force that upholds justice, equality and freedom. The Chief Guest lauded India’s remarkable journey as a republic, highlighting its achievements in nation-building, education, science, innovation and social progress.
The address also underscored the importance of unity in diversity, civic responsibility and the role of youth in shaping India’s future. Stressing global interconnectedness, the Chief Guest noted that India’s progress contributes not only to its own citizens but also to regional stability and global development.
A Day of Pride and Reflection
Republic Day 2026 served as both a celebration and a moment of reflection — honoring the vision of the Constitution’s framers and renewing the nation’s resolve to uphold democratic ideals. Across borders, the Indian diaspora joined the celebrations, reinforcing cultural bonds and a shared sense of national pride.
As India continues its journey as a vibrant republic, the spirit of Republic Day echoed a collective commitment to democracy, unity and progress in an increasingly interconnected world.
Messages of goodwill and congratulations poured in from world leaders and friendly nations, reaffirming India’s standing as a key global partner and the world’s largest democracy.
Leading the greetings from the neighborhood, Bangladesh extended heartfelt wishes to the Government and people of India, underlining the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah, while sharing a special greeting message bearing the words “Bangladesh greets on India’s 77th Republic Day”, noted that the message was conveyed in 14 languages, reflecting inclusivity and cultural respect. In a social media post, he wrote: “#Bangladesh felicitates every woman-man-child in #India,” reaffirming the enduring bonds between the two nations.
The European Union leadership extended warm greetings to India, highlighting the shared commitment to democracy, multilateralism and global cooperation. EU leaders underscored the growing India-EU strategic partnership and expressed optimism for deeper collaboration in areas such as trade, technology, sustainability and global governance.
The United States congratulated India on Republic Day, recognizing its constitutional values and democratic institutions. The message reaffirmed the strength of the India–US strategic partnership and noted cooperation across defense, technology, climate action and people-to-people ties.
Russia conveyed greetings emphasizing its long-standing and time-tested relationship with India. The message highlighted mutual respect, strategic cooperation and continued collaboration across political, economic and defense sectors.
The United Kingdom extended best wishes to India, acknowledging its democratic journey and the close historical and contemporary ties between the two countries. The message stressed expanding cooperation in education, innovation, trade and cultural exchange.
The French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X “What a wonderful memory of the #RepublicDay we shared together in 2024!
My dear friend @NarendraModi, dear Indian friends, my very best wishes on this great day of celebration. See you in February to continue building together!
Several other countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe also sent congratulatory messages, commending India’s constitutional legacy, economic progress and constructive role in global affairs.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen extends warm greetings on India’s 77th Republic Day 2026 He says, “From the state of Nebraska, I extend my warmest wishes on Republic Day as we mark an extraordinary milestone. Today is a day to celebrate our shared values for bringing our two great nations closer together.”
The international greetings on India’s 77th Republic Day reflect the nation’s growing global influence and reaffirmed its role as a trusted partner committed to democracy, peace and inclusive development.
