French President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations, a significant event that underscores the growing strategic partnership between India and France. The visit, which includes a red carpet welcome and various diplomatic and economic engagements, is aimed at strengthening defense and business ties between the two countries.Red Carpet Welcome and Diplomatic Engagements
- Macron will receive a grand red carpet welcome, including a dinner at a 19th-century maharaja’s palace and participation as the chief guest at a military parade featuring tanks, dancing troupes, camel cavalry, and a fighter jet fly-past. This warm reception highlights the strong strategic partnership between India and France.
- The visit is expected to consolidate and deepen diplomatic and economic relations between New Delhi and Paris, with a focus on defense and business ties. India and France are strategic partners, and the visit is aimed at furthering their cooperation in various domains1.
Defense and Business Ties
- The visit comes at a time when France is eyeing lucrative deals with India, the world’s fifth-biggest economy. France hopes to build on its military contracts following India’s multibillion-dollar purchases of French-made Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene-class submarines. Additionally, France is looking to sell six EPR nuclear reactors to India.
- The two countries share defense ties, and the visit is expected to focus on advancing their cooperation in the vast Indo-Pacific region. The discussions will also cover defense cooperation and collaboration in strategic sectors.
Human Rights and Other Discussions
- The visit is not just about defense and business ties; it will also address human rights issues and other sensitive topics. There are concerns over human rights, differences over the war in Ukraine, and India’s close ties with Moscow. The visit is an opportunity to discuss these issues with respect and aim for concrete results.
French President Macron’s visit to India as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations is a significant diplomatic event that underscores the strong and growing partnership between the two countries. The visit is expected to further strengthen their defense and business ties, as well as provide an opportunity to discuss sensitive issues such as human rights with the aim of achieving concrete results.
