Macron and PM Modi had discussed a wide variety of bilateral and international matters on the previous day...
Digital Desk: In a significant attempt to strengthen academic ties between the two nations, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday his 'ambitious' plan to welcome 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030.
This came after bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jaipur before the Republic Day celebrations. Macron and PM Modi had discussed a wide variety of bilateral and international matters on the previous day.
Speaking to X, Macron revealed his "ambitious target" and vowed to bring 30,000 Indian students to study in France by 2030. "France and India have a lot of future and present business together. Together with you, our youth, we will do this via trust, friendship, cooperation, and trade," he said.
The French President announced that his government is working with Alliance Françaises to create new French language learning centers as part of the "French for All, French for a Better Future" project, which is opening up additional avenues for students to learn French in public schools.
Plans to admit 30,000 Indian students by 2030 have already been made public by France, which would first invite 20,000 students by 2025. India is a popular destination for Indian students pursuing higher education, with over 60,000 Indian immigrants living in France. Foreign applicants must have a solid command of French to be admitted to French universities.
Macron holds roadshow with PM Modi in Jaipur
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed the French President when he arrived in Jaipur on Thursday. Following a visit to Amber Fort, PM Modi greeted Macron and the two leaders embarked on a massive roadshow that began at Jantar Mantar in Jaipur and ended at Hawa Mahal.
Later on Thursday, while visiting Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, PM Modi was also observed giving Macron a tour of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) digital payments system. He then gave the French President a replica of the Ram Mandir.
Taking to X, PM Modi stated, "I am pleased that President Macron will begin his visit to India in Jaipur, Rajasthan, a state rich in culture, heritage and talented people. It is a matter of great pride for us that he will take part in the Republic Day celebrations tomorrow, January 26, in Delhi.
Following the roadshow, the two leaders talked about bilateral matters and shared their opinions on a variety of international and domestic topics. Additionally, Macron wished Indian folks a happy Republic Day in 2024.
India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day this year, which honors the country's attainment of sovereignty and the ratification of the constitution on January 26, 1950. The Republic Day parade will also feature a 33-member French band contingent and a 95-member marching group from France.
Notably, Republic Day celebrations here in the nation's capital feature a chief guest from France for the sixth time. Before Macron, previous Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande, as well as former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac, were the chief guests at India's Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, 1980, 2008, and 2016, respectively.
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