Context: France President Emanuel Macron will attend the 75th Republic Day celebration 2024 as a chief guest.

Republic Day Chief Guest Protocol

• Ceremonial honor for the head of state, considered the highest accorded by a country to another in terms of protocol.
• Chief Guest’s Itinerary: 
  • They are presented with a  ceremonial guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 
  • They lay a wreath at Rajghat to honour Mahatma Gandhi. There is a banquet in their honour, a lunch hosted by the Prime Minister, followed by a reception hosted by the President of India in the evening. 
• Planing: 
  • Initiated six months in advance.
  • Involves coordination between the Government of India, relevant state governments, and the invitee country’s government.

Republic Day Chief Guest: Significance

• A tradition: The presence of a republic day chief guest annually has become an essential part of the event and the run-up to it.
• Symbolism: The presence of the heads of the governments of the 2 countries on the same platform reflects the friendship between the two peoples of the respective countries and is a marker for the ultimate sign of friendship
• Strengthening and accelerating of ties: Ministry of External Affairs rise to the occasion to strengthen ties with the country of the invitee in all the aspects of  Political, commercial, military and economic interests of India through the signing of various MoUs and agreements during the visit.
• Showcase India’s hospitality: Professional conduct of the ceremonies and the protocols  accorded to the guest reflects  India’s traditions, culture, and history and puts the global gaze on India.

India-France Relations: Bilateral, Strategic, Defence, Trade 

• Strategic Partnership: India and France will complete 25 years of strategic partnership relationship in 2023 with relations spanning across various domains, including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people ties.
• Significance of the India-France Relations: 
  • Defence: France is the second-largest defence supplier to India with 29% of its arms supplies.Examples:  French Scorpene submarines, Rafale fighter jets
    • Joint military exercises: Varuna, Garuda, and Shakti
  • Trade and commerce: France emerged as a key trading partner for India with annual trade volume reaching $12.42 billion in 2021-22, and France is the  11th largest foreign investor in India.
  • Indo-Pacific strategy:  France is the only EU state with territories in the Indo-Pacific and is part of three regional networks — the Indian Ocean Commission, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium,  and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

Continue Reading: India-France Relationship 

News source: The Indian Express

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