The disease which continues to spread in Africa is currently classified by the UN health body as a public health emergency of international concern
world3 days ago
India has invited French President Emmanuel Macron to be the chief guest at the country's Republic Day celebrations next month, in what Macron's office described on Friday as a powerful gesture for the two nations' ties.
The visit for Republic Day on January 26 will be Macron's third to India as president. The event marks the 74th anniversary of the adoption of India's Constitution on January 26, 1950, nearly three years after it won independence from British colonial rule.
India's official guest in January 2023 was Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, for a 90-minute parade that ended with a flyby featuring 75 air force fighters, including French-made Rafale jets, transport planes and helicopters.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Previous French guests for the event have included all of Macron's immediate predecessors as France's president: François Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac.
Macron's office called the invitation “an extremely strong gesture".
India’s External Affairs Ministry described the two nations as “strategic partners" and said: “India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues.”
ALSO READ:
Macron also visited India in 2018 and again for a Group of 20 summit in September.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was guest of honour this year at France's annual Bastille Day parade in Paris on July 14.
India and France are looking to further strengthen cooperation on an array of topics ranging from climate to military sales and the strategic Indo-Pacific region.
In July, India’s Defence Acquisition Council approved the purchase of 26 Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy. The purchase of three Scorpene submarines, developed by France and Spain, was also approved.
The disease which continues to spread in Africa is currently classified by the UN health body as a public health emergency of international concern
world3 days ago
The strike on an apartment killed nine people including a Hezbollah commander, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said
world4 days ago
The US national Tsunami Centre said no Tsunami warning was issued
world4 days ago
Hundreds of demonstrators defied a ban on demonstrations, chanting demands for an end to violence in Gaza and 'Free Palestine'
world4 days ago
Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November last year
world4 days ago
According to reports, Doha has withdrawn as a key mediator in negotiating a Gaza ceasefire
world5 days ago
The United States has accused Iran of conspiring to assassinate the president-elect
world5 days ago
There were no reports of major damage or casualties and no tsunami warnings were issued
world5 days ago