Emmanuel Macron will make a two-day visit with great fanfare. Palaces, a parade and 21 cannon shots: the president is expected in India this Thursday for a trip full of pomp and emblematic of the strategic partnership developed with New Delhi.
The head of state is the guest of honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the celebration of the Indian Constitution, which came into force on January 26, 1950, two years after independence. The Hindu nationalist leader, himself the guest of honor for the July 14 military parade in Paris, returns the favor. He first invited Joe Biden, who ultimately did not follow up, according to the Indian press.
A start to a visit to the “land of kings”
“This trip will make it possible to consolidate and deepen Franco-Indian diplomatic and economic relations and to strengthen links between civil societies,” welcomes the French presidency. Emmanuel Macron will receive this honor in the wake of the Egyptian (2023), Brazilian (2020) and South African (2019) presidents. Four of his predecessors were also entitled to it.
The president is first expected this Thursday at 3 p.m. in Jaipur, capital of the state of Rajasthan, the “land of kings” famous for its maharajas and palaces, before heading to New Delhi. He will meet artists and interact with young Indians in the imposing setting of Amber Fort, before meeting the Prime Minister.
Thomas Pesquet from the trip
On the program, Narendra Modi has arranged a car parade for him through Jaipur, followed by a one-on-one dinner in a former royal residence transformed into a palace. Symbol of bilateral cooperation in the space field, from satellites to manned flights, the two leaders, accompanied by astronaut Thomas Pesquet, will also visit an astronomical observatory installed in the 18th century by Jesuits.
Friday morning, they will attend the big military parade in New Delhi together, to the sound of 21 cannon shots. Emmanuel Macron will first join the tribune of honor aboard a cab. A contingent of 150 legionnaires as well as two Rafale fighters and a French tanker plane will also be in the spotlight, between Indian tank regiments and camel cavalry.
A challenge for the military industry
Beyond the pomp, international crises will be at the heart of the discussions. India, a long-time ally of Russia, which remains its main arms supplier, refuses to condemn its offensive in Ukraine. France, for its part, hopes to increase its cooperation in the military industry with India – which has purchased 36 Rafales and is in negotiations to acquire 26 others – and sell it six EPR nuclear reactors.
The president will be accompanied by Ministers of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, of Culture Rachida Dati, of Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné and around fifteen business leaders, including the CEOs of EDF, Dassault Aviation, Naval Group and Cap Gemini.