India: Ahead of Republic Day, PM Modi and French President Macron hold roadshow in Jaipur

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held a roadshow in Jaipur, Rajasthan, ahead of India's 75th Republic Day.

Macron, who is on a two-day official visit to India, will be the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations to be held in New Delhi on Friday.

During the roadshow, citizens in large numbers gathered on the streets of the pink city to welcome Macron and Modi.

Meanwhile, PM Modi explained how the UPI digital payments system has been implemented in the cities to French President Macron.

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Macron also visited Hawa Mahal in Jaipur along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in between the roadshow. During his India visit, Macron first met Modi at Jantar Mantar - the famous solar observatory established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh.

UNESCO listed Jantar Mantar as a World Heritage Site in July 2010.It consists of a set of eighteen instruments and is the world's biggest stone observatory.

Meanwhile,Indian PM Modi gifteda replica of Ayodhya's Ram Mandir to French President Emmanuel Macron.PM Modi and French President Macron also relished masala tea from Jaipur’s Sahu chaiwala and made the payment via UPI.

Macron's India visit

Macronarrived at Jaipur's international airport earlier in the day. He was received by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Rajasthan's Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

The French president then visited the Amer Fortwhere he interacted with artists, appreciated Rajasthani painting art and interacted with school students who had gathered to welcome him.

Meanwhile, Indian PM Modi, after visiting Jantar Mantar, wrote on X, "Visited Jantar Mantar in Jaipur with President @EmmanuelMacron. This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a testament to India's rich heritage in astronomy. It also symbolises the blend of ancient wisdom and modern science, a shared value that both India and France appreciate."

In another tweet, PM Modi said, "It is a matter of great pride that he (Macron) will be taking part in our Republic Day celebrations".

Macron's visit to India comes on the heels of expanded bilateral cooperation between New Delhi and Paris in major areas, including defence.

Watch:French President Emmanuel Macron reaches India as Chief Guest for 75th Republic Day

In a statement, the French embassy said that the talks between Modi and Macron will cover defence cooperation, collaboration in the vast Indo-Pacific region and the course on responses to challenges such as terrorism, climate crisis, biodiversity loss, poverty eradication, strengthening business ties, and cross-investments.

As part of expanded defence cooperation, India and France also plan to build three more Scorpene-class submarines with technology from France.

(With inputs from agencies)