India marked its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with a grand Kartavya Path parade in New Delhi, combining a major military display with colourful cultural performances. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended as guests of honour, underlining a sharper focus on India–EU ties ahead of the summit scheduled the next day.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says India is nearing a new phase in electronics where homegrown smartphone brands can go global. Speaking at the World Economic Forum 2026, he said the ecosystem for components and manufacturing has matured and the government has completed key groundwork, with Indian brands expected to emerge within 12 to 18 months.
The ICC announced Scotland will replace Bangladesh at the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to participate under the published match schedule, following disagreements over venue and security concerns.
Across party lines, political leaders used Republic Day messages and events to emphasise constitutional ideals, democratic values and the need to protect the Constitution, with statements from state leaders and opposition figures during 26 January programmes.
Ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, Deloitte has urged the government to address tax asymmetries and compliance frictions affecting firms at IFSC GIFT City. The firm recommends parity with banking units, clearer treatment for broker-dealers and finance companies, and steps to improve certainty on anti-avoidance and transfer pricing issues to attract global institutions.
India marked its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with a major parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, combining ceremonial marches, a display of domestically produced defence hardware, cultural floats and a concluding Indian Air Force flypast.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a successful India makes the world “more stable, prosperous and secure” after attending India’s Republic Day parade as a chief guest, as New Delhi prepared for an India–EU summit focused on trade, security and strategic cooperation.
A WHO Disease Outbreak News update said India reported 151 Zika virus disease cases during 2024 across Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra (with most in Maharashtra), and outlined transmission routes and public health measures focused on surveillance, vector control and risk communication.
As EU leaders attended India’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted India’s role in global stability and prosperity. Her remarks came ahead of the EU–India Summit on 27 January 2026, where both sides are expected to push forward discussions on a long-awaited trade agreement and broader strategic cooperation.
India’s benchmark equity indices were down more than 4% in January 2026, with analysts pointing to foreign portfolio investor selling, rupee weakness, mixed earnings and heightened global uncertainty—including geopolitical tensions, tariff concerns, crude prices and bond yields.
Sensesemi Technologies, a Bengaluru-based fabless semiconductor startup, raised ₹25 crore (about $2.75 million) in a seed round led by Piper Serica, with participation from multiple funds and angel investors, as it develops edge-AI chip products.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on 26 January 2026, discussing deeper bilateral cooperation and continued high-level exchanges as both sides look to sustain engagement.
