'Proud To Be With You': French President Macron Joins India's 75th Republic Day Celebrations | Watch

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday witnessed India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations at New Delhi’s majestic Kartavya Path joined by prominent leaders including Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh among others.

Macron was joined by the members of the Union Cabinet, foreign diplomats and a host of other dignitaries during the celebrations led by a grand military parade and cultural performances.

Before the ceremony, the French leader took to social media to extend Republic Day wishes to India and said he was proud to be a part of the celebrations. “My warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Let’s celebrate!”

French President Macron was also seen riding in a special presidential carriage along with Droupadi Murmu escorted by the President’s Bodyguard making their way to Kartavya Path.

Macron later shared a post on social media platform X with a video of the French contingent marching and said, “A great honour for France. Thank you, India.” The leader was also seen smiling as the contingent passed before Macron.

Upon his arrival in Jaipur on Thursday, the French leader was welcomed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar post which Macron held a grand roadshow with Prime Minister Modi.

Macron also visited Pink City’s iconic sites of Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal, which tourism trade stakeholders believe will further boost the tourism industry.

Modi and French President Macron on Thursday held wide-ranging talks to further consolidate India-France strategic cooperation, especially in areas of defence, security, trade and clean energy, after the French leader was accorded a red-carpet welcome.

The talks took place at a 19th-century palace after Modi and Macron held a roadshow from the astronomical observation site of Jantar Mantar to the iconic Hawa Mahal in the Pink City.

This is the sixth time (the highest for any country) that a French leader is participating in India’s biggest ceremonial event. This tradition began with President Jacques Chirac in 1976, followed by Valery Giscard d’Estaing in 1980, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, and Francois Hollande in 2016.