French President Emmanuel Macron is set to embark on a two-day state visit to Bharat, commencing in Jaipur, where he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions will encompass a broad spectrum of cooperation, spanning defense, space, civil nuclear, and Indo-Pacific affairs. Following their meeting in Jaipur, the leaders will head to Delhi, where Macron will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.
The visit will kick off with a warm reception by Prime Minister Modi in Jaipur, featuring a joint road show. The leaders will partake in a 1.5km procession, starting at Jantar Mantar and concluding at Sanganeri Gate. Along the way, they will visit key tourist attractions such as Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, and Jantar Mantar. A brief tea chat is anticipated at Sanganeri Gate.
Notably, Macron’s presence as the chief guest marks the sixth instance of a French leader receiving this honor at Republic Day celebrations – a testament to the robust and unblemished strategic partnership between India and France. The visit will include a high-profile delegation, including Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne and Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
During their discussions, leaders are expected to delve into global issues such as conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine. Additionally, progress is anticipated in ongoing negotiations for significant defense deals, including the procurement of Rafale Marine aircraft and Scorpene submarines by India. Beyond defense, the two nations are actively collaborating on projects such as the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project and exploring partnerships in low and medium power modular reactors, small modular reactors, and advanced modular reactors.
The visit underscores the deepening ties and shared interests between India and France, providing a platform for fruitful discussions on both regional and global challenges. The Republic Day celebrations will serve as a symbolic backdrop for reaffirming the strength of the bilateral relationship.
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