New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron, who will be on a two-day visit to India, will kickstart his trip on Thursday by visiting the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. The French President will visit Jaipur's stunning hilltop fort of Amber, the iconic Hawa Mahal, and the astronomical observation site of Jantar Mantar.
Macron will be the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations on January 26 at Delhi's Kartavya Path. He is set to become the sixth leader from France to grace the celebrations. The French President will stay in Jaipur for nearly six-hours. According to news agency PTI, He will also join Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a road show before the two leaders hold wide-ranging talks at luxury hotel Taj Rambagh Palace on all key aspects of bilateral India-France ties and various geopolitical upheavals.
PM Modi will welcome Macron at around 5.30 pm, and the two leaders will visit various places of cultural and historical significance in the city, including Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and Albert Hall Museum, PMO said in a statement.
Macron To Land In India At 2.30 PM Today
Macron's aircraft is scheduled to land at Jaipur airport at 2.30 pm on Thursday and he will depart for Delhi at around 8.50 pm, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, as reported by PTI. The road show will start at Jantar Mantar area at 6 pm while the Prime Minister and the French President are set to begin their talks at 7.15 pm.
In the bilateral talks, the two leaders are set to focus on ways to boost bilateral cooperation in a range of areas, including digital domain, defence, trade, clean energy, youth exchanges, easing of visa norms for Indian students, PTI reported, citing sources.
India's proposed procurement of 26 Rafale-M (marine version) fighter jets and three Scorpene submarines is also likely to feature in the talks. The negotiations for the procurement of the Rafale-M jets and three Scorpene submarines are moving forward "positively", PTI reported, citing sources. However, It is not immediately clear whether there will be an announcement on sealing of the two multi-billion dollar deals.