French President Emmanuel Macron joined Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a roadshow through the Pink City on Thursday. The visit featured a symbolic gift to Macron, who is set to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi on January 26, as he was presented with a replica of Ayodhya’s Ram temple. Before the leaders delved into bilateral talks, they also shared a moment of cultural exchange over masala chai from a local teashop.


















PM Modi elucidated the UPI digital payments system to French President Emmanuel Macron.






Modi arrived at the observatory from Jaipur airport, and Macron joined the event after a visit to the iconic Amber Fort. The leaders embraced and proceeded to explore the historical Jantar Mantar, one of the oldest astronomical observatories featuring the world's largest stone sundial.






French President Macron, the chief guest at Delhi's Republic Day celebrations on January 26, had earlier toured Jaipur's prominent landmarks, including the hilltop Amber Palace. Following the sightseeing, Macron engaged in a roadshow with Prime Minister Modi, with the official talks scheduled to take place at the Rambagh Palace hotel later in the evening.


The French delegation received a warm welcome from Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma at the airport. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Modi, who was in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, arrived in Jaipur a couple of hours later.


Amber Fort welcomed Macron with a red carpet and lined up caparisoned elephants for the French president. Interacting with a group of children displaying banners of India-France friendship, Macron explored artifacts at temporary stalls near the fort's entrance.


External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari accompanied the leaders during their visit to the fort. Cutouts and hoardings were strategically placed at various locations in Jaipur anticipating the visit of Modi and Macron.


City security was heightened, and traffic diversions were implemented to ensure a smooth visit for the dignitaries.