French President Emmanuel Macron Visits India for Republic Day Celebrations

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in India for his state visit, coinciding with the 75th Republic Day celebrations. Macron, who has been invited as the chief guest for the event, landed in Jaipur, Rajasthan, a day before the celebrations in Delhi. This visit marks the culmination of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

Accompanied by a ministerial delegation and a C-level business delegation, Macron will be engaging in various activities during his visit. The ministerial delegation includes Stephane Sejourne, Sebastien Lecornu, and Rachida Dati, among others. Notably, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet is also part of the delegation.

This is not Macron’s first visit to India, as he has previously been on a state visit in 2018 and an official visit in 2023. Likewise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited France on four occasions. The two leaders have developed a strong relationship and have been actively fostering cooperation between the two countries.

During his visit, Macron and Modi engaged in a roadshow from the iconic Jantar Mantar to Hawa Mahal. They were seen waving at the enthusiastic crowd gathered along the roadside. They also visited the historic Amber Fort and took part in a meeting at the Rambagh Palace.

The visit to Jaipur holds significance as it allowed Macron to explore the rich cultural heritage of the city. The famous Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases the astronomical instruments built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. The visit to the fort and the observatory provided Macron with a glimpse into India’s architectural and scientific achievements.

Macron’s visit as the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations demonstrates the deepening friendship between France and India. This visit further strengthens the bilateral ties and paves the way for future collaborations in various sectors like defense, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.