Macron-Modi bonding elevates India-France ties

Delhi-Paris bonding has scaled new frontiers as Prime Minister Narendra Modi serenaded French President Emmanuel Macron in the pink city of Jaipur and held talks to deepen bilateral cooperation across diverse areas, including defence, security and business. The joint road show by the leaders of India and France through iconic landmarks in Jaipur showcased unique chemistry and bonding between Modi and Macron. President Macron will attend the 75th Republic Day celebrations as chief guest on Friday, the sixth time (the highest for any country) a French leader is participating in this iconic ceremonial event. “Welcome to India, my friend President @EmmanuelMacron. I am happy that President Macron begins his India visit from Jaipur in Rajasthan, a land with rich culture, heritage and talented people. It is a matter of great pride that he will be taking part in our Republic Day celebrations tomorrow, 26th January, in Delhi. His presence not only strengthens the ties between our nations but also adds a significant chapter to our shared history of friendship and collaboration.” “Visited Jantar Mantar in Jaipur with President @EmmanuelMacron. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a testament to India’s rich heritage in astronomy. It also symbolises the blend of ancient wisdom and modern science, a shared value that both India and France appreciate,” he tweeted. “France and India have developed a trust-based cooperation aimed at strengthening strategic autonomy, illustrated by close cooperation in the defence sector, including advanced platforms and technologies. The two countries are also key partners in contributing to international peace and security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, where we implement a joint strategy. They also have a long-standing cooperation of over 60 years on space spanning launchers, space exploration, crewed flights, climate monitoring satellites, and maritime surveillance,” the French embassy in Delhi said in a statement.