Macron, Modi to hold roadshow

New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron will land in Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur on Thursday afternoon on a two-day visit to India that will see him visit historical venues that include the Amber Fort and the Jantar Mantar observatory, where he is expected to be joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a “Shobha Yatra” roadshow till the Hawa Mahal.

Later on Thursday evening, the Prime Minister and the French President will hold bilateral talks in the “Pink City". During the meeting, apart from regional and global issues, the two leaders are expected to discuss in detail defence, space, civil nuclear energy, trade and commerce and education ties.Thereafter, Mr Macron will leave for New Delhi.

On Friday morning, Mr Macron will attend the Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path as the chief guest, it will be the sixth occasion when a French leader has been accorded this honour, the highest for any other nation.

Later on Friday afternoon, the French President will attend the “At Home” reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. In the evening, before departing for Paris, have a formal meeting with Ms Murmum along with French foreign minister Stéphane Sejourné, defence minister Sébastien Lecornu and culture minister Rachida Dati.

Given that India is keen to acquire 26 Rafale-Marine fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy from France and the proposed construction of three additional submarines under the P75 programme, all eyes will be on the defence component of the visit and whether the two countries announce or ink any defence deals during the visit.

Meanwhile, the French embassy on Wednesday put out a statement on the visit that said that the French President will be on a state visit in India on January 25–26 as the chief guest of India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations at the invitation of Mr Modi.

Mr Macron will be accompanied, among others, by a ministerial delegation, a C-level business delegation of French majors and other eminent personalities, including ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet.

The French embassy statement said that a French armed forces contingent will also participate in the Republic Day parade and flypast alongside India’s troops and aviators.

Mr Macron has previously been in India on a state visit in March 2018 and on an official visit in September 2023 for the Delhi G-20 summit.

The French embassy statement said: “Mr 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. Twenty-five years after the launch of their strategic partnership, France and India have embarked on new common goals for the next 25 years.”