Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, the chief guest for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations, at the luxury hotel Taj Rambagh Palace in Jaipur.
Modi accompanied Macron to Jantar Mantar here and both leaders also held a roadshow. PM Modi also gifted a replica of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya to President Macron.
It is worth mentioning here that Modi was the guest of honour at the prestigious Bastille Day Parade in Paris in July last year.
Macron landed in Jaipur on Thursday for his two-day State visit to India. He was received by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Governor Kalraj Mishra.
Macron, who arrived in India with a 44-member delegation that includes high power ministers of Foreign Affairs, Stephane Sejourne, Defence, Sebastien Lecomu, and rapidly rising Culture czarina Rachida Dati, visited Amber Fort and met school students gathered there to welcome him.
ALSO READ: Royal Welcome to Roadshow With PM Modi: Check What’s in Republic Day Chief Guest Macron’s Plan for India Visit
The French president’s two-day visit to India is taking place as top negotiators from the two sides are eyeing to seal two mega defence deals providing for India’s procurement of 26 Rafale-M (marine version) fighter jets and three French designed Scorpene submarines.
The visit shows the “deep mutual trust” and “unwavering friendship” underpinning Indo-French ties, a French readout said on Wednesday.
“President Macron’s visit will consolidate the ambitious renewal of the France-India strategic partnership that the two leaders decided on in Paris on July 14 through the ‘Horizon 2047 Roadmap’,” it said. Horizon 2047 is a blueprint to significantly bolster the ties when the two sides will celebrate the centenary of diplomatic relations.
Modi also hosted a banquet for Macron and the members of his delegation at the hotel. On Friday, Macron will witness the Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest.
A 95-member marching contingent and 33-member band contingent from France will take part in the parade. Two Rafale fighter jets and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French air force will also feature in the celebrations.
The French marching contingent from the French Foreign Legion features six Indians. Macron will also attend the ‘At Home’ reception by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
He is scheduled to hold a meeting with Murmu at 7.10 pm.
Comments
0 comment