The head of state and the astronaut are expected in India during the Constitution Day celebrations. A visit with multiple challenges.
Emmanuel Macron is visiting India from Thursday January 25 to Friday January 26, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the middle of Constitution Day. The Head of State is traveling well surrounded for this visit with multiple challenges: astronaut Thomas Pesquet will be on the trip, a presence which recalls the numerous partnerships between France and India in the space sector, in particular satellites. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné, the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati and the Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu are also expected, according to TF1, as well as several business leaders.
The French head of state is the guest of honor at Constitution Day. An invitation that responds to that made to the Indian Prime Minister in Paris for the National Day of July 14. “This is a particularly important mark of confidence on the part of Indians towards France, following on from the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for July 14,” welcomed the Elysium.
Discussions between the French president and the head of the Indian government should focus on Ukraine, the Middle East, China and the two countries’ bilateral defense cooperation, according to an Indian diplomatic source to AFP. India’s purchase of 26 French Rafales and 3 submarines could also be discussed, as well as the ongoing negotiations around the sale to India of six EPR reactors, which could be the subject of a framework agreement during this visit.
Several NGOs are also calling on Emmanuel Macron to take advantage of his visit to address the subject of human rights with the Indian Prime Minister, accused in particular of repression of religious minorities. “There are no taboo subjects,” a presidential advisor responded to AFP, “but the goal is to discuss them with respect and with the aim of achieving concrete results.”
