India has invited President of France Emmanuel Macron as Chief Guest for the forthcoming Republic Day
celebrations on January 26, 2024 as per reliable sources.
SIXTH INSTANCE OF A FRENCH LEADER BEING CHIEF GUEST FOR REPUBIC DAY CELEBRATIONS
This is the sixth time a French leader will be the Chief guest at the national Republic Day celebrations in
the capital. There have been five instances of French leaders being Chief Guests at the prestigious
national celebrations earlier. Former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the Chief guest on
India's Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, and former Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing,
Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008 and 2016 respectively.
Earlier in July this year, Prime Minister Modi had visited France to attend the Bastille Day Parade in
which amidst the strains of Saare Jahan Se Achcha, an Indian tri-services marching contingent had
wowed the crowd in Paris. The Prime Minister participated in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest
of Honour on the invitation of President Macron.
The Prime Minister’s visit was also to mark the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between
the India and France. As per the PMO statement issued in July, “To mark the 25th anniversary of the
India-France Strategic Partnership, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a
military band also participated in the Parade." The Indian Army contingent was led by the Punjab
Regiment, followed by a complement from the Rajputana Rifles Regiment.
During the parade, the Indian military contingent marched to the patriotic tune of 'Sare Jahan Se Accha,'
while a squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters participated in a fly past over the Champs-
Elysees. Rafale Jets of the Indian Air Force from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara formed a part of the
fly past.
PRESIDENT MACRON HAD VISITED INDIA LAST IN SEP 2023 FOR G20 SUMMIT
In September 2023, French President Macron had visited India to attend the G20 Summit held under
India's Presidency. President Macron and Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on
September 10 on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Post meeting, Prime Minister Modi said they had
pledged to take India-France relations to newer heights of progress. The two leaders reiterated that they
would strengthen defence cooperation through partnership in the design and expansion of production
in India. They also stressed the early finalisation of the Defence Industrial Roadmap.
Bengali