The French president, who will be chief guest at a New Delhi military parade on Friday, toured the city of Jaipur with the Indian PM
French President Emmanuel Macron landed in India on Thursday ahead of the country’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26, where he will be the chief guest. Macron started his visit by traveling to the city of Jaipur, a popular tourist attraction in Rajasthan state, where he was received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The two leaders traveled in an open-top vehicle through a short stretch in the heart of the city, beginning from Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century observatory which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Modi then treated Macron to a cup of masala tea at a local stall.
The two leaders are expected to hold bilateral talks covering economic, defense, space, and cybersecurity, before heading to New Delhi, where they will oversee a Republic Day parade. A 95-member French marching contingent accompanied by a military band will take part in the event. Macron’s visit marks France’s sixth participation as chief guest in India’s national day parade – the most of any other nation. Republic Day marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, symbolizing the country’s transformation into a republic.
#WATCH | Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron visited a tea stall and interacted with each other over a cup of tea, in Jaipur.
French President Emmanuel Macron used UPI to make a payment. pic.twitter.com/KxBNiLPFdg
— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2024