Modi, Macron hail ties, chart future road map

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday held extensive talks in Jaipur to deepen bilateral ties, with discussions on advancing defence, security and business ties taking centre stage as the two countries, which launched their strategic partnership 25 years ago, narrow their focus on achieving new common goals during the next 25 years, officials aware of the matter said.

- Rahul Singh

Macron will attend the 75th Republic Day celebrations as chief guest on Friday, the sixth time (the highest for any country) a French leader is participating in India's biggest ceremonial event.

"#India @Emmanuel Macron & @steph_sejourne are in Jaipur today & will visit New Delhi tomorrow. On the agenda: Global affairs, Security & sovereignty, Ties between civil society in both countries," the French ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs posted on X on Thursday.

The talks were expected to chart the course for finalising new initiatives in a raft of key areas, including defence, space, collaboration in the vast Indo-Pacific region where China is seeking to expand its footprint, industrial cooperation, promoting cross-investments and responding to challenges such as the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and poverty eradication, the officials said.

Modi welcomed Macron to India and referred to the collaboration in a post on X.