The bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron was on full display as the two leaders held a joint roadshow in Jaipur on Thursday evening.
Macron, who is the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi on January 26, was presented a replica of Ayodhya's Ram temple by Modi as the two leaders held wide-ranging talks at Taj Rambagh Palace hotel.
#WATCH | PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron hold roadshow in Rajasthan's Jaipur pic.twitter.com/jEC3PSt8KW
— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2024
The roadshow was held from Jantar Mantar to Hawa Mahal, with both Modi and Macron waving at people gathered along the roadside amid high security.
Earlier in the day, the French leader was accorded a red-carpet welcome in the Pink City. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma received the French delegation at airport.
Modi, who was on a visit to Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, also reached Jaipur a few hours later.
Macron visited various iconic places in the Rajasthan capital including hilltop Amber Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory and Hawa Mahal in a carefully curated tour.
At Amber Palace, he interacted with a group of children. The delegation also browsed through artifacts on display at the temporary stalls set up near the entrance, reported PTI.
Modi, who led the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya's new Ram Mandir this week, bought a small replica of the temple for the guest, according to the shopkeeper.
On Friday, Macron will witness the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.
A 95-member marching contingent and 33-member band contingent from France will take part in the parade. Two Rafale fighter jets and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft of the French air force will also feature in the celebrations.
The French leader will also meet President Droupadi Murmu in the evening.
With PTI inputs
