Following Biden’s refusal, French Prez Macron agrees to attend R-Day celebrations as Chief Guest
Emmanuel Macron will be the Chief Guest come January 26 after the European country accepted India's invitation to be a part of India's Republic Day celebrations, becoming the sixth French leader to attend the event
US President Joe Biden reportedly declined India's invitation to be the Republic Day chief guest, citing reasons believed to be influenced by the State of the Union address, his re-election bid, and Washington's increasing focus on the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Ties between India and France have grown steadily in recent years.
In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Bastille Day parade as the guest of honour during the French National Day celebrations.
Around the same time, the defense ministry gave approval for the acquisition of 26 Rafale (marine) jets from France, intended for deployment on the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
France has responded to India's initial tender for the jet purchase, and the two countries are enhancing cooperation in the maritime domain, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended as the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations.
