French President Emmanuel Macron will be the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Friday.

“At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations,” the press release said.

MEA also mentioned that India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues. It highlighted that the two countries celebrated the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership this year. Also, earlier this year, Prime Minister was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade held on 14 July 2023 in Paris.

President Macron visited India for the G-20 Summit on 8-9 September 2023. He will be the sixth French President to grace the occasion as chief guest.

India had earlier invited President of United States of America Joe Biden to be the Chief Guest that was turned down.