Ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India on Thursday, preparations are underway in Rajasthan's Jaipur to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Macron. The French President will be the chief guest for the Republic Day Parade in Delhi.
As Jaipur gears up for Mavron's visit, a local trader, Kamal Kishore Agarwal, said, "We have specially got a replica of the Ram Mandir made for PM Modi... This is a golden opportunity. It will give a boost to the trade in Jaipur and also bring in more work for the handicraft workers. If allowed, I would like to gift this 105-year-old image of Jaipur to PM Modi."
The two leaders will visit the iconic Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, and Hawa Mahal in Jaipur. According to PTI, they will also hold a roadshow from the Jantar Mantar to the Hawa Mahal for close to 15 minutes. The leaders will hold a meeting at hotel Rambagh Palace in the evening.
Cutouts and hoardings have been put up at numerous locations in Jaipur, from the airport to the sites Modi and Macron will be visiting, as reported by PTI. The security on the sites has been tightened up. Arrangements for traffic diversions have also been made.
PM Modi and Macron will be welcomed in traditional Rajasthani style, PTI reported, citing official sources. They will spend nearly two hours at the Amber Fort, visiting the Sheeshmahal, Deewan-e-Aam, and Deewan-e-Khas, they said.
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 roadshow will start at the Jantar Mantar area at 6 p.m., while the Prime Minister and the French President are set to begin their talks at 7.15 p.m. PM Modi will welcome Macron at around 5.30 p.m. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reviewed the preparations for the visit on Tuesday night.