On January 26 2024, the Republic Day ceremonies will feature French President Emmanuel Macron as the special guest. This transpired after US President Joe Biden expressed his incapacity to visit New Delhi in January, despite being asked to honor the Republic Day ceremonies.
Emmanuel Macron has also been invited to attend the Quad Summit in India, marking the sixth French leader to attend a Republic Day celebration as a chief guest.
The Quad Summit, which includes former French Prime Ministers Jacques Chirac, Francois Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Valery Giscard d’Estaing, has been rescheduled to be held later in 2024 due to scheduling issues with member states like the US, Australia, and Japan. The Quad Summit was reportedly scheduled to be held a day after Republic Day but was not formally announced. Macron’s participation in the Quad Summit is expected to further strengthen the global relations between the Quad and India. Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended French National Day celebrations in Paris, where a 269-member Indian tri-services contingent participated. Following Modi’s visit, Macron visited India for the G20 Summit, holding productive talks and reiterating France-India relations’ strength.
The Republic Day festivities reflects India-France close relations
Emmanuel Macron has been invited to serve as the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2024, marking the sixth time a French leader has been invited to the event at Kartavya Path. This gesture signifies the strengthened closeness and trust between India and France, marking the transition to a republic in 1950.
India uses its Republic Day celebrations as an opportunity to promote diplomatic relations and emphasize the power of its military forces. As demonstrated by the previous Republic Day parade, an impressive aspect of the occasion is anticipated to be an Air Show showcasing Rafale Jets, highlighting the significant military collaboration between France and India. It is noteworthy to remember that earlier this year, at the Paris Bastille Day Parade, India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was the Guest of Honour.
Macron invited to New Delhi after US President Joe Biden’s inability to visit in January
India has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in India, marking the sixth time a French leader has been the chief guest. This follows previous French leaders like Jacques Chirac, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande. India showcases its military might and diverse culture on Republic Day, with Biden reportedly unable to attend.
Macron is set to deliver a State of the Union address to India, a key event in the country’s relationship with France. The address is expected to take place before the US elections next year. Macron visited India in September for the G20 Summit and held a bilateral meeting with Modi, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing India-France ties. The meeting focused on strengthening defense cooperation, expanding production in India, and finalizing the Defence Industrial Roadmap. Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade in France in July.
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