“Let’s celebrate!” said French President Emmanuel Macron, the chief guest of Republic Day 2024, wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of India on this day.
Sharing a selfie on X (formerly Twitter) with PM Modi, clicked outside Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal on Thursday, Macron wrote: “My dear friend Narendra Modi, Indian people, My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Let’s celebrate!”
Macron is the chief guest at 75th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path, the ceremonial boulevard in the heart of the national capital, New Delhi.
PM Modi was the guest of honour at the prestigious Bastille Day Parade in Paris in July last.
Macron began his two-day visit to India on Thursday. PM Modi and Macron held wide-ranging talks to further consolidate India-France strategic cooperation, especially in areas of defence, security, trade and clean energy, after the French leader was accorded a red-carpet welcome in Jaipur.
The talks took place at a 19th century palace after PM Modi and Macron held a roadshow from the astronomical observation site of Jantar Mantar to iconic Hawa Mahal in the Pink City.
PM Modi also hosted a banquet for Macron and the members of his delegation at the hotel.
As per reports, the talks between the two leaders at Taj Rambagh Palace largely focused on boosting cooperation in defence, trade, space, cyber domain, besides ways to bolster engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
Macron’s visit to India is taking place as top negotiators from the both the sides are eyeing to seal two mega defence deals providing for India’s procurement of 26 Rafale-M (marine version) fighter jets and three French designed Scorpene submarines.
The visit shows the “deep mutual trust” and “unwavering friendship” underpinning Indo-French ties, a French readout said on Wednesday.
“President Macron’s visit will consolidate the ambitious renewal of the France-India strategic partnership that the two leaders decided on in Paris on July 14 through the ‘Horizon 2047 Roadmap’,” it said.
Horizon 2047 is a blueprint to significantly bolster the ties when the two sides will celebrate the centenary of diplomatic relations.
On Friday, Macron will witness the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest. A 95-member marching contingent and 33-member band contingent from France will take part in the parade. Two Rafale fighter jets and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French air force will also feature in the celebrations. The French marching contingent from the French Foreign Legion features six Indians.
Macron will also attend the ‘At Home’ reception by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Murmu at 7:10 pm.
With inputs from PTI
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