The News Freedom
Chandigarh, December 22
In a significant diplomatic moment, French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed as the Chief Guest for India’s upcoming 75th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. This marks the culmination of deepening ties between the two strategic partners as they commemorate the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
“At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations,” the MEA said in an official statement. Highlighting the strong foundation of bilateral relations, the statement further noted, “As strategic partners, India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues.”
This move signifies a crucial milestone in the India-France relationship. Prime Minister Modi’s presence as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris earlier this year, followed by President Macron’s visit for the G-20 Summit in September, paved the way for this symbolic gesture.
Macron’s acceptance of the invitation underscores the growing significance of the partnership, particularly in areas like defense, security, clean energy, trade, investment, and new technologies. His presence as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations is expected to further strengthen this strategic alliance and provide an opportunity to highlight shared priorities and collaborative endeavors on the global stage.