EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen dons Banarasi brocade bandhgala at Republic Day celebrations, honouring Indian textiles
New Delhi, January 26
At India's Republic Day 2026 parade in the national capital, where celebrations met a patriotic spirit, with tradition walking hand-in-hand, fashion also emerged as a quiet yet powerful form of diplomacy. Among the chief guests in attendance, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen made a striking statement by donning a Banarasi brocade bandhgala jacket, subtly offering a sartorial tribute to India's rich textile heritage.
In a vibrant shade of burgundy and gold, along with its clean lines and regal silhouette, she combined the bandhgala jacket with white trousers.
By wearing Indian brocade at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations, von der Leyen embraced fashion as a cultural respect - a gesture that deeply resonated with many across social media platforms, as citizens praised her choice of attire for the occasion.
Taking to her X handle, Ursula von der Leyen shared her thoughts on being a part of the celebrations in India. "It is the honour of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations. A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. And we all benefit," she wrote.
India's 77th Republic Day parade concluded on Monday after a spectacular showcase of the country's military might and diverse culture at Kartavya Path.
After the parade and after seeing off the President and the visiting foreign dignitaries, Prime Minister Modi kept with his custom of walking along the Kartavya Path.
He was seen waving to the spectators who had gathered to witness the Republic Day parade.
PM Modi, whose sartorial choices also stir headlines, arrived in his own signature style, wearing a striking traditional outfit.
For Republic Day 2026, PM Modi chose a richly colored Rajasthani-style safa, also known as a "pagdi," with shades of deep red, mustard yellow, and green, tied high with a fan-like crest. With the turban, he paired a light sky-blue Nehru jacket over a dark navy kurta. Completing the look were white churidar-style trousers, and he paired the attire with traditional black formal shoes.
Every year, PM Modi's Republic Day outfit gets people talking, with his turbans always drawing the most attention. Over the years, he has worn turbans and caps from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and other states, each carrying cultural meaning.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Fashion diplomacy at its best! This is a win for our weavers and artisans. Hope this inspires more people globally to appreciate the craftsmanship behind Banarasi silk. PM Modi's Rajasthani safa was also looking very regal. Jai Hind!
While I appreciate the gesture, I wish our media would focus a bit less on outfits and more on the substance of the diplomatic talks. What agreements were signed? What does "a successful India" mean for EU-India relations? The clothes are nice, but let's talk policy too.
As someone visiting India often for work, I love seeing this. The bandhgala looked stunning on her. It's a sophisticated way to bridge cultures. The parade itself sounds incredible – the mix of military precision and cultural diversity is uniquely Indian.
PM Modi's turban game is always strong! Every year he represents a different state's heritage. This year Rajasthan, next year maybe from the Northeast? It's a great way to showcase India's unity in diversity. Von der Leyen's outfit was a classy add-on to the celebrations.
My mother is a weaver from Varanasi. Seeing the EU Commission Chief in Banarasi brocade on such a big platform fills my heart with pride. This kind of visibility is so important for our local artisans. Hope it leads to more international orders for them! 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.