India will organise a “rich and extensive” programme for French President Emmanuel Macron’s two-day visit next week, when he will travel to Jaipur and then to Delhi as the chief guest for Republic Day, according to sources. Mr. Macron’s visit has been organised at relatively short notice — as U.S. President Joseph Biden only informed New Delhi in December of his inability to accept India’s invitation — and is likely to span just 40 hours.
As a result, officials said that they were still working on the number of MoUs and agreements that could be signed during the visit. The itinerary, however, may make up with pomp and splendour what the meetings may lack in substance. A grand welcome is being planned for Mr. Macron in Jaipur on January 25, including a joint motorcade parade with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, bilateral talks, and a gala banquet at one of the city’s erstwhile royal palaces.
According to the sources, Mr. Macron will arrive in Jaipur and be received by Mr. Modi on the afternoon of January 25, before the two leaders go on the roadshow and head for bilateral talks. On January 26, the French President will officiate at the Republic Day parade in Delhi, and then attend functions organised by the French Embassy, as well as the ‘At Home’ tea at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening. Mr. Macron is expected to fly out after the official functions are over, either on the night of January 26, or early on January 27.
