French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in India on Thursday afternoon for a two-day state visit. He will be the Chief Guest at India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations on January 26th in New Delhi.
Macron headed to the pink city of Jaipur to kickstart his high-profile visit upon landing in the country. Over the next six hours, he is scheduled to tour popular tourist attractions like Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, and Jantar Mantar.
The French leader will then join Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a special roadshow through the city, marking growing ties between the two countries. Afterward, Macron and Modi will hold extensive bilateral discussions at the famous Taj Rambagh Palace Hotel.
The talks are expected to center around boosting cooperation in defense, trade, technology, education, and climate action. The two sides may also announce progress on major defense deals including India’s plan to acquire French-made Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene submarines.
Macron’s packed itinerary highlights India’s growing strategic partnership with France. As democracies rooted in an independent streak, the two nations have built robust convergence across various political and economic spheres.
The French President’s presence as Chief Guest on India’s most iconic national day further spotlights these strengthening bonds. Over the next two days, Macron will hold engagements in New Delhi aimed at elevating the bilateral relationship to even greater heights.