New Delhi: An invitation has been extended to French President Emmanuel Macron to serve as the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2024.
This marks the sixth instance of a French leader being invited to the momentous event at Kartavya Path on January 26, commemorating the day in 1950 when the Constitution of India came into effect, signifying the nation’s transition to a republic.
India’s gesture reflects the strengthened closeness and trust that has developed between the two countries over time.
India’s Republic Day celebrations serve as a stage to highlight diplomatic ties and showcase the strength of the armed forces. Just as witnessed in the recent Republic Day parade, a noteworthy feature of the event is expected to be an Air Show featuring Rafale Jets, underscoring the substantial defence cooperation between India and France.
Important to recall that India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris earlier this year.
Rafale Jets of the Indian Air Force, from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara, formed a part of the flypast during the parade on July 14 in Paris. A 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Forces also marched to the tune of “Sare Jahan Se Accha” at the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es in Paris.
France holds a unique distinction as the only country to have received the highest number of invitations to India’s Republic Day parade. In 1976, French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac became the first-ever French leader to be invited as the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebration.