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On January 25, 2024, the French President Emmanuel Macron, the chief guest of India’s Republic Day Parade landed in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He is set to kick-start his two-day trip to India by exploring the beauty of the Pink City and will be joined by PM Narendra Modi for a tour of a couple of heritage sites and a roadshow.
With the French president being the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade 2024 celebrations on January 26, 2024, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, he would become the sixth leader from France to grace the prestigious annual extravaganza. Notably, Macron accepted the invitation at the last minute for Republic Day celebrations which showcased the strength of the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Interesting Facts
The Chief Guest selection begins nearly six months before the event and involves careful consideration. The nature of the relationship between India and the guest country is a central factor. The invitation to be the Chief Guest at the parade signifies the highest level of friendship between India and the guest nations. The political, commercial, military and economic interests of India play a pivotal role in the decision with the MEA aiming to strengthen ties with the guest country in all aspects.
The Chief Guest receives a ceremonial guard of honor at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by an evening reception hosted by the President of India. They also lay a wreath at Rajghat in the honor of Mahatma Gandhi. There is a banquet held in their honor, a lunch hosted by the Prime Minister and calls from the Vice-President and the External Affairs Minister.
The President of India will hoist the national flag and all those in attendance sing the national anthem. Following this a 21 gun-salute is fried by the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery. The Beating Retreat Ceremony which normally occurs two to three days after the Republic Day parade will take this year on January 29, 2024.
Theme and Arrangements
The main theme of the 75th Republic Day Parade 2024 revolves around “Viksit Bharat” and Bharat Loktantra ki Matrukta emphasizing India ‘s role as nurturer of democracy. Apart from Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, NCC and paramilitary forces contingents, a 95-member contingent and 33-member band from France will be actively participating in this year’s parade. The venue at Kartavya Path has a seating capacity of 77,000 members and 42,000 seats reserved for the general public. The parade is expected to last for a period of 90 minutes and will begin at 10:30 AM.
Emmanuel Macron’s Visit
President Macron’s aircraft is scheduled to land at Jaipur airport at 2:30 PM on January 25, 2024 and he will depart for New Delhi at around 8:50 PM, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He will be welcomed by the Rajasthan governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma at the airport. Following his arrival, he is set to visit Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal. Reportedly, he will also attend a cultural event that is scheduled to take place in the Amer Fort. The MEA Chief Subramaniam Jaishankar will also accompany him.
Macron will be welcomed in the state amidst colorful folk dance and music. Decorated elephants and camels will also be there defining cultural and traditional beauty of Rajasthan. In his nearly six hours stay in Jaipur, Macron will be joined by PM Narendra Modi in one km long road show “Shobha Yatra” before the two leaders hold wide ranging talks at the luxury hotel Taj Rambagh Palace on the diplomatic relations between India and France.
It is said that India ‘s proposed procurement of 26 Rafale-M (marine version of the Dassault Rafale) fighter jets and three Scorpène class submarines would also figure in the talks. The roadshow is scheduled to start at Jantar Mantar area at 6:00PM while PM Modi and Macron will begin their talks at 7:15PM.
PM Modi and Macron will be meeting at the Jantar Mantar. They are also expected to have Rajasthan’s famous Masala Tea together at Hawa Mahal. He will participate in the Republic Day Parade celebrations in New Delhi (Kartavya Path) on January 26, 2024 from 22:30 AM. The French president is then scheduled to depart to New Delhi at 10:30 AM. The French president is then scheduled to depart to New Delhi after meeting President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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