On the off chance that Macron affirms his visit, this will be the 6th time that a French chief will be the main visitor at Republic Day festivities in New Delhi.
After US President Joe Biden expressed his inability to travel to India on January 26, India has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations, PTI reported quoting sources. If Macron confirms his visit, this will be the sixth time that a French leader will be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.
Before Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998. Former presidents Valery Giscard d’Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande had graced the January 26 parade as chief guests in 1980, 2008 and 2016 respectively.
PM Modi had invited Biden to be the chief guest for Republic Day celebrations during their bilateral meeting on September 8 ahead of the New Delhi G20 summit, US Envoy Eric Garcetti had confirmed in September. However, Biden has reportedly expressed inability to attend the event, PTI reported.
While no reason has been given, US media reported that the President’s State of the Union address was scheduled to take place before January 30. The address is crucial as US elections will take place next year.
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