French President Emmanuel Macron Likely To Be Chief Guest For India's Republic Day
Emmanuel Macron, the French President is likely to be the chief guest for India’s 2024 Republic Day celebration, as per the report. The development in deciding the chief guest for the Republic Day celebration came after American President was unable to meet the invitation for the Republic Day. This is the sixth time a French head of state attending the celebrations in India since 1976. The formal announcement of Macron attending the event is not issued yet.
There were also reports about India reaching out other world leaders like UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and some of the West Asian countries with only six more weeks left for the Republic Day. The last French President to visit India as a chief guest for Republic Day celebration was Francois Holland in 2016. Other French Presidents who visited India as the Republic Day chief guest were Jacques Chirac (1976 and 1998), Valery Giscard d’Estaing (1980), Nicholas Sarkozy (2008) and Francois Holland (2016). If Emmanuel Macron visits India for the next year’s Republic Day celebration, France will become the country, whose leader was the chief guest for the maximum number of times. Until now, UK and France are staying at a tie with on five.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest of French National Day or Ballistic Day in July this year. A 241 members tri-Indian armed contingent forces which was led by a military band was also participated during the event in Paris, marking the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.
France is one of the India’s closest partners in Europe. French government has submitted its response on India’s Rs 50,000 crore tender to purchase 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for Indian Navy. The $6 billion deal with France for 26 Rafale Marine aircraft was initiated by India, as a method to enhance the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier capabilities. The said procurement includes 22 single-seated Rafale Marine aircraft and four twin-seater trainer version.
