French President Emmanuel Macron has been extended an invitation to serve as the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2024, marking a historic sixth instance of a French leader’s participation in the event. The prestigious ceremony is set to take place at Kartavya Path on January 26, commemorating the day in 1950 when India adopted its Constitution, officially becoming a republic.
This invitation symbolizes the deepening camaraderie and trust between India and France, highlighting the robust diplomatic relations that have flourished over the years. The choice of Emmanuel Macron as the chief guest underscores the strategic and multifaceted partnership between the two nations.
India’s Republic Day serves as a platform not only for celebrating the country’s democratic heritage but also for showcasing its diplomatic ties and the prowess of its armed forces. The presence of a foreign dignitary as the chief guest is a symbolic gesture, reflecting the importance and significance attached to the bilateral relationship.
A notable feature anticipated for the Republic Day celebrations is an impressive Air Show featuring Rafale Jets. This demonstration not only underscores the substantial defence cooperation between India and France but also showcases the cutting-edge capabilities of the Rafale aircraft, a crucial component of the Indian Air Force’s arsenal.
It’s worth recalling that earlier this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade in Paris. The participation of Indian Air Force Rafale Jets in the parade further exemplified the growing strategic partnership and military collaboration between the two nations.
France holds a unique distinction as the only country to have received the highest number of invitations to India’s Republic Day parade. The tradition of inviting French leaders began in 1976 when then-Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the first French dignitary to grace the occasion. Subsequent invitations were extended to President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing in 1980, President Jacques Chirac in 1998, President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and President François Hollande in 2016.
In contrast, an earlier invitation extended to US President Joe Biden to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebration did not materialize. The reasons cited by the American side included a scheduled State of the Union address and domestic commitments that rendered President Biden unavailable for the grand event in New Delhi. Macron’s potential participation signifies not only the continuing warmth in Indo-French relations but also the global recognition of India’s growing diplomatic significance.