India has called the presence of European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Republic Day celebrations a milestone in India-EU Relations. In a social media post, the External Affairs Ministry said the Guests witnessed the Republic Day parade along side President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It also informed that a contingent consisting ofthe  EU Military Staff and the EU Naval Force Atalanta and EU Naval Force Aspides participated in the Republic Day Parade for the first time.