Diplomatic advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in the national capital. The key diplomatic visit holds relevance as the French President is set to visit the country as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day event.
French Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonne, on his one-day visit, laid the groundwork to prepare for the bilateral visit in line with enduring the India-France strategic partnership.
Several crucial elements of the bilateral relationship were discussed in detail, with a special focus on futuristic technologies and the global commons of cyber, maritime, and space were also taken up at the meeting in New Delhi.
In December last year, Emmanuel Macron accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invite to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 next year. “I’ll be here to celebrate with you!,” wrote Macron on X (formerly Twitter), thanking PM Modi, whom he referred to as “my dear friend”, for the invite.
PM Modi also wrote on X addressing the French President saying, “We eagerly look forward to receiving you as the Chief Guest at the 75th Republic Day. We will also celebrate India- France strategic partnership and shared belief in democratic values.”
In July last year, PM Modi had attended Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. Bastille Day is celebrated as the National Day of France. It is marked on July 14 every year.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was the chief guest at the 2023 Republic Day celebrations.