New Delhi: Accepting India’s formal invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day function in the national capital next year, French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday thanked his “dear friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he will be in the country to “celebrate the day” with him.
Taking to X, President Macron wrote, “Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend Narendra Modi. India, on your Republic Day, I’ll be here to celebrate with you!”
Thank you for your invitation, my dear friend @NarendraModi. India, on your Republic Day, I’ll be here to celebrate with you!
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 22, 2023
India turned to the French President after his US counterpart Joe Biden pulled out of his visit to India as the guest of honour for R-Day because of scheduling issues.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that President Macron will be visiting India at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi.
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“At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations,” the MEA said in a statement.
“As strategic partners, India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues. This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership,” the MEA added.
It is to be noted that PM Modi’s invitation to President Macron comes amid rapid upswing in India-France bilateral relation, including sectors of defence and security, clean energy, trade and investment, and technologies.
PM Modi was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris on July 14 and President Macron visited New Delhi for the G-20 Summit held under India’s presidency in September.
