French President Emmanuel Macron is coming to India as the chief guest on Republic Day this year. The French leader will land in Jaipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be in Jaipur with him. During this, PM Modi will do a road show with Macron. One notable event on their agenda is a road show from Tripolia Gate to Sanganeri Gate.
In Jaipur
When Macron arrives in Jaipur, a warm Rajputana welcome awaits him in the afternoon of January 25. This sets the tone for his role as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. The schedule is packed, including a motorcade parade with Prime Minister Modi, bilateral talks, and a grand banquet at one of Jaipur’s royal palaces.
Expected Agenda
India is gearing up for Macron’s two-day visit, coordinating a rich and extensive program. The visit was organized on short notice after US President Joseph Biden declined the invitation. Sources are still finalizing the number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements due to the time constraints. The emphasis is on quality rather than quantity in these diplomatic engagements.
Choice for Venue
The choice of venue for Prime Minister Modi’s dinner is yet to be decided, with options like City Palace, Rambagh Palace, Rajmahal Palace, Amber Palace, and Jalmahal Palace under consideration.
According to reports City Palace, the current residence of Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, which also boasts a museum that offers a glimpse into the glorious past of the Rajputs of Jaipur and Amber could be the venue for hosting the visiting French President.
Military-Industrial Collaboration
A significant focus of Macron’s visit is on military and industrial collaboration. Bilateral talks aim to strengthen military manufacturing in India, creating jobs for the youth and enabling local supply chains to access French and European markets. The collaboration spans a roadmap of 25 years, concentrating on India’s indigenous capabilities in producing aircraft engines, submarines, and addressing military challenges in space.
Programme in New Delhi on Jan 26
After the Jaipur visit, Macron will participate in the 75th Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Additional functions are organized by the French Embassy, including an ‘At Home’ tea at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Macron is expected to depart either on the night of January 26 or early on January 27.
Defence & Digital Collaboration
Digital collaboration is also on the agenda, focusing on implementing UPI digital payments in France. This aligns with an announcement made during Modi’s visit to Paris, fostering technological ties between the two nations.
Discussions extend to various issues, including progress on cooperation in strategic ties, maritime security, Indo-Pacific strategy, climate change, and green transitions. Collaboration between the Indian and French space agencies is a noteworthy area of interest.
Jaitapur Nuclear Project and Small Modular Reactors
Despite France’s EDF submitting a binding techno-commercial offer in April 2021 to Indian nuclear company NPCIL, sources and engineers on the two sides have not been able to reach an agreement on the contract.
The visit marks the 25th year of the strategic partnership between India and France. Challenges persist, notably in the Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra. Differences in cost, feasibility, and nuclear liability have impeded progress since the initial agreement in 2009. Discussions are ongoing, with exploration into French offers for small modular reactors which have a capacity lower than 300 MW.
Strategic Partnership
According to sources, “This visit will cap the 25th year of our strategic partnership. France was the first country in the western world that India signed a strategic partnership agreement with and that partnership has strengthened in all bilateral and multilateral arenas.”
2047 Horizon Roadmap
The two leaders are expected to continue talks on a 2047 Horizon Roadmap, focusing on security, sovereignty, the planet, and the people. Efforts are directed towards building up the trade relationship, which reached its highest levels last year but remains comparatively low.
Education
An announcement in the education sector is anticipated during Macron’s visit. France actively encourages Indian students to study in its universities, offering courses in English to make them more appealing. Extended visas for Indian students might be considered under the migration and mobility partnership.
Symbolism
Despite the short interval between Modi’s visit to Paris in July 2023 and Macron’s visit to Delhi for the G-20 in September, sources emphasize the rapid progress in various spheres. Macron’s visit is considered high on symbolism, reflecting the close personal relationship between Modi and Macron.