Enhancing cooperation in the areas of defense and security, trade, climate change, clean energy and mobility of students and professionals will be the focus of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Jaipur on Thursday.
Macron, who will grace the Republic Day celebrations while on duty, will begin his two-day visit to India from Jaipur, where he will visit the pink city’s stunning hill fort Amer, the iconic Hawa Mahal and the Astronomical Observatory. Jantar Mantar.
The French President’s visit comes at a time when top negotiators from both sides are considering finalizing two mega defense deals for India to purchase 26 Rafale-M (Marine variant) fighter jets and three French-designed Scorpene submarines. Have been. It is understood that significant progress has been made in the negotiations including price and various other technical aspects for the purchase of the mega major platforms.
“This mutual invitation to National Day celebrations is unprecedented, and reflects the deep mutual trust and unwavering friendship that underpins India-France relations,” a French readout said. PM Modi was the guest of honor at the prestigious Bastille Day parade in Paris last July.
“President Macron’s visit will consolidate the ambitious renewal of the France-India strategic partnership, which the two leaders agreed upon on July 14 in Paris through the ‘Horizon 2047 Roadmap’,” the readout said. President Macron will be accompanied by a ministerial delegation consisting of Stéphane Ségern (Europe and Foreign Affairs), Sébastien Lecornu (Armed Forces) and Rachida Dati (Culture), a trade delegation as well as distinguished figures including ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet.
Twenty-five years after the launch of their strategic partnership, France and India have launched new shared goals for the next 25 years, the readout said. “Accordingly, President Macron’s talks with Prime Minister Modi will seek to advance our cooperation and finalize new initiatives under the three pillars of the roadmap,” it said.
On security relations, the readout said France and India have developed a “trust-based” cooperation aimed at strengthening strategic autonomy, evidenced by close cooperation in the defense sector, including advanced platforms and technologies. It added that the two countries are also important partners in contributing to international peace and security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, where we implement a “joint strategy”.
“The visit will seek to advance common initiatives to respond to the major challenges of our time, including climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty alleviation and the transformations brought about by new technologies,” it said. On people-to-people ties, Paris said Macron’s visit will emphasize France’s commitment to creating more opportunities for Indian students, artists, investors and tourists.
“Particular focus will be given to initiatives promoting student mobility in support of President Macron’s announcement that France intends to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030,” it said. “Trade ties and cross-investments will also be promoted during the visit, under the banner of France’s “Make It Iconic” nation-branding campaign, which has targeted India as a priority country,” it said.
During his nearly six-hour stay in Jaipur, Macron will also join Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a roadshow before the two leaders discuss all key aspects of India-France relations and various geopolitical ties at a luxury hotel Taj Rambagh. Will hold extensive talks in the Palace. Turmoil. Modi will welcome Macron at around 5.30 pm and the two leaders will visit various places of cultural and historical importance in the city, including Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and Albert Hall Museum, the PMO said in a statement.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the French President’s plane is scheduled to land at Jaipur airport at 2.30 pm on Thursday and he will depart for Delhi at around 8.50 pm. The road show is scheduled to begin at 6 pm in the Jantar Mantar area, while Modi and Macron are scheduled to begin their talks at 7.15 pm.
In their talks, Modi and Macron are also expected to discuss enhancing maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, the situation in the Red Sea, the Hamas-Israel conflict and the war in Ukraine. Macron is scheduled to leave from Jaipur for New Delhi at 8:50 pm. Macron will witness the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest on Friday.
A 95-member marching squad and 33-member band squad of France will participate in the parade. The ceremony will also include two Rafale fighter aircraft of the French Air Force and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft.
Six Indians are included in the French marching contingent of the French Foreign Legion. President Macron will also attend the ‘at home’ reception of President Draupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
He is also scheduled to hold a meeting with Murmu at 7.10 pm.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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