New Delhi/Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday extended warm greetings to India on the occasion of its 77th Republic Day, sharing a selfie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the 2024 celebrations when he was the Chief Guest.
In a post on X, Macron described the photograph as a cherished memory and said he looked forward to meeting Prime Minister Modi again in February. “What a beautiful memory of #RepublicDay by your side in 2024! My dear friend @NarendraModi, dear Indian friends, all my best wishes on this great day of celebration. See you in February to continue building together!” he wrote.
During Macron’s visit last year, a French military contingent had also taken part in the Republic Day parade, underlining the growing strategic and defence ties between India and France. The 2024 parade was organised around the twin themes of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and ‘Bharat — Loktantra Ki Matruka’ (Mother of Democracy).
As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day this year, the festivities feature a special focus on the 150-year legacy of ‘Vande Mataram’. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, are attending the celebrations as Chief Guests.
Calling her participation a moment of pride, Ursula von der Leyen said it was an “honour of a lifetime” to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations. In a post on X, she said a successful India contributes to global stability, prosperity and security, benefiting the entire world.
Republic Day, observed annually on January 26, commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, marking the country’s formal transition into a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic. The day symbolises the culmination of India’s freedom struggle and the establishment of a constitutional system founded on justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
