India’s 77^th Republic Day was celebrated across Australia on January 26, 2026, with official events held at Indian missions in Canberra, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. These events reflected the country’s deep diplomatic and community engagement nationwide.

In Perth the celebrations were held at the Consulate General of India, where members of the Indian diaspora, community leaders and invited guests gathered to mark the adoption of the Constitution, which established India as a republic in 1950.

The celebrations in Perth opened with the hoisting of the national flag, the singing of the national anthem, and cultural presentations. The Consul General (CG) of India to Western Australia and Northern Territory, Kajari Biswas read out the address of President of India, Droupadi Murmu. 

In her address, President Murmu said the occasion provided an opportunity to “reflect on the status and direction of our country in the past, present and future,” describing the Constitution as the “foundational document of the largest republic in world history.” She highlighted the ideals of “justice, liberty, equality and fraternity” and acknowledged the contributions of India’s armed forces, police, farmers, healthcare workers, teachers, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and sanitation workers.

President Murmu emphasized the role of women in India’s development, noting increased participation in voting, governance, sports, and economic activity, and highlighted initiatives focused on education, financial inclusion, and women-led development. She also acknowledged the contribution of overseas Indians for “bringing glory to the image of our Republic on the global stage.”

City of Perth Councilor Raj Doshi was present at the celebrations. Extending her greetings, she said, “I would like to wish everybody a happy Republic Day. And for those celebrating, a very happy Australia Day.”

The Indian Republic Day coincides with Australia Day, also observed nationally on January 26, linking the Indian diaspora’s engagement with India’s national day to the wider Australian context.

Celebrating Shared Values: India’s Republic Day and Australia Day

Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong extended greetings to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and to the people of India.

In her message, Wong said Australia’s partnership with India had “never been stronger,” noting that as India marked Republic Day and Australia observed its own national day, both countries were honoring shared democratic values and deepening bilateral ties.

Europe and India on Republic Day

Republic Day Celebrations included the presence of European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen as Chief Guest, alongside President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, at the national parade in New Delhi.

Von Der Leyen said it was “the honour of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations,” adding that “a successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure, and we all benefit.” She thanked the President of India for hosting the European delegation.

She described Europe and India as “the world’s largest democracies,” stating that both were committed to working together to “shape a new global order” and to take the partnership “to new heights.”

The display of the flags of the European Union, the European Union Military Staff, and the EU’s maritime missions ATALANTA and ASPIDES at Kartavya Path was described as a symbol of deepening security cooperation. The engagement culminated in the signing of the India EU Security and Defense Partnership, and the India-EU Free Trade Agreement soon after, on January 27, 2026, marking a development in economic and strategic ties.

The European Union military representation at the Republic Day parade was led by Colonel Frederik Simon Spruijt, acting on behalf of the Director General of the European Union Military Staff, who reviewed the parade from a ceremonial Gypsy on Kartavya Path.

Bill Gates’ Republic Day message to India

As part of its Republic Day outreach and engagement with the Indian diaspora in the United States, the Consulate General of India in Seattle shared a video message from Bill Gates to mark India’s Republic Day.

In the message, Gates said Republic Day was a moment to reflect on “the extraordinary promise India made to itself in 1950 to build a nation where opportunity expands, knowledge empowers and progress uplifts everyone.”

He said that every visit to India reinforced how that promise continued to shape the country’s ambition, noting that Indian innovation was delivering impact “at scale,” not only within India but across the Global South. Gates highlighted India’s leadership in health, agriculture, digital public infrastructure, and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence. Referring to the upcoming India AI Impact Summit, he said his foundation would outline partnerships and commitments aimed at building “an inclusive AI future.”

Gates added that Indian innovators were leading the way in harnessing AI solutions that could “save and improve millions of lives,” advance social good, and drive economic growth. Addressing the Indian diaspora, Gates said their continued engagement strengthened ties between India and the United States, united by a shared belief in innovation and human potential.

He concluded by congratulating India on its achievements as the nation advanced “with confidence towards Viksit Bharat (Developed India).”

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