French president in India to strengthen strategic ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was honoured and delighted to welcome French President Francois Hollande as the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations.

The dignitaries, who will arrive here separately, will visit the three popular tourist attractions of the city-Rock Garden, Capitol Complex and Government Museum and Art Gallery, official sources said.

The duo will join CEOs from France and India at a business summit where at least 25 business heads from both the countries will attend the summit.

President Francois Hollande announced on Friday that the French government will ask parliament to approve a three-month renewal of the state of emergency put into place after the November 13 Paris attacks that killed 130 people. This is the fifth time that a serving President of France will be the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day function which is itself a record.

In a Tweet posted as Hollande landed, Modi said he was “honoured & delighted to have him as the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations”. Earlier, leaders from France had graced the occasion in 1976, 1980, 1998 and 2008. It will also be the first time that French soldiers will participate in the events along with Indian troops.

A heavy posse of security personnel from Punjab, Haryana, UT Chandigarh and Central Para Military Forces, including ITBP, has been deployed at all vital installations in the city. Moreover, no road will be closed for long duration during the high-profile visit.

Hollande will meet Modi for a tour of Chandigarh’s renowned rock garden, with its sculptures made out of rubble from the city’s construction.

Designed in the 1950s by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, Chandigarh is one of three places that France has pledged to help develop as so-called “smart cities” – with clean water supplies, efficient sewage disposal and public transportation.