Macron's visit draws out roadmap for next 25 years

Both countries have maintained significant relations in various sectors and are working towards achieving new heights in trade and economic relations

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Behind the buzz around the consecration of Lord Ram at Ayodhya on 22 January, there is the upcoming visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron as chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade. His proposed three-day visit to India is a sort of reciprocating the honour given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest on France’s national day on 14 July last year. This will be President Macron’s third visit to India since 2018, the last being in September 2023 for the G20 summit.

The invitation and swift acceptance of the same by Macron are reflective of the strong and deeply entrenched ties between New Delhi and Paris that have grown over the past few years. This honour is given to France, highest for any country, which has now been invited a record sixth time to be the chief guest at the R-day celebrations. Despite its significance, the visit might be overshadowed by the events in Ayodhya and underwhelmed in terms of agreements and substance that come out of it due to the visit of PM Modi to France six months ago as well as the impending general elections in a few weeks’ time. This risks the visit being mere symbolic and at best plays well for diplomatic niceties. Hence sceptics need to be proven wrong to come up with a visit that bores well with media coverage, substantial agreements, and action plans to further strengthen their relations.