Delhi, 22 December (HS): French President Emmanuel Macron has been invited to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26, making him the sixth French leader to grace the prestigious occasion.
This invitation comes amidst the rapid upswing in ties between the two countries, with a focus on defence and security, clean energy, trade and investment, and new technologies.
President Macron’s visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the Bastille Day parade in France as a guest of honour in July. The two countries have also agreed to cooperate in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries.
While India had initially invited US President Joe Biden, he expressed his inability to travel due to his State of the union address, re-election bid, and current focus on the Hamas-Israel conflict. This is not the first time that India has invited a French leader as the Republic Day chief guest, showcasing the strong and enduring friendship between the two nations. As India continues to strengthen its ties with France and other countries, it reaffirms its commitment to global cooperation and mutual development.
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