Along with a select group of world leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations on Friday at the magnificent Kartavya Path. This was the nation’s largest yearly ceremonial event in the previous seven decades.
Together with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, foreign diplomats, and numerous other dignitaries, Macron was the chief guest at the ceremony and witnessed both the grand military parade and the cultural performances.
This marked the sixth occasion when a head of state from France served as the parade’s chief guest.
“A great honour for France. Thank you, India,” President Macron posted on ‘X’ in a caption to a video of the French band and the military contingents marching down in front of around 70,000 spectators.
A great honor for France.
Thank you, India. pic.twitter.com/fXfp4hdCsb— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024
On Republic Day, Macron also sent greetings to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian populace.
“My dear friend @NarendraModi, Indian people, My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Let’s celebrate!,” he said.
My dear friend @NarendraModi,
Indian people,My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you.
Let’s celebrate! pic.twitter.com/e5kg1PEc0p
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024
Macron said that receiving an invitation to India on this particular occasion was both an honour and a sign of friendship in another post on ‘X’.
“I’m here to commemorate and strengthen our outstanding collaboration. Bringing our youth together is the first step. He said, “We have so much to do together!” in French.
In Jaipur on Thursday, Macron and Prime Minister Modi had extensive discussions.
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The parade featured participation from a French band contingent of thirty and a marching contingent of ninety-five.
A French Air Force Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft and two Rafale fighters will also be on display during the festivities.
India invites world leaders to participate in its Republic Day celebrations each year. The event was graced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi last year.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented 2021 and 2022’s Republic Day chief guest from participating.
In 2020, then-Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the celebrations.
In 2017, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at the celebrations, while then-French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016.
In 2015, then-US President Barack Obama watched the parade. In 2014, then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations, while Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the parade in 2013.
Leading statesmen and diplomats such as Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami, and Jacques Chirac have all attended the Republic Day festivities.
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1993 saw the celebrations attended by then-British Prime Minister John Major; 1995 saw Nelson Mandela participate as the then-President of South Africa; and 2010 saw the parade observed by President Lee Myung Bak of South Korea.
President Sarkozy of France took part in the festivities in 2008, and President Chirac of France graced the event in 1998.
Other world leaders who have attended the celebrations include Nepal’s King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 1999, Iran’s then President Mohammed Khatami in 2003, then Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2011 and President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 1991.
Source: PTI
