The head of state was the guest of honor of India's strongman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the celebration of the Indian Constitution, which came into force on January 26, 1950, two years after independence.

The two leaders attended the parade side by side from the stands in a ceremony that combined British Royal traditions and contemporary Indian symbols.

Emmanuel Macron first ascended the main road leading to the Gate of India, the Arc-de-Triomphe in the heart of New Delhi, in a carriage drawn by six horses and a guard of honor in full splendor.

After the parade began, accompanied by the Indian national anthem and 21 cannon shots, the Foreign Legion contingent, known for its rhythmic steps and white kepis, opened the festivities, followed by the flight of two French Rafale fighter planes.

Under sunlight veiled by pollution, Russian T-90 tanks, camel cavalry, infantry and military figures on motorbikes follow each other in a martial vein.

– Military cooperation –

“Made in India” Sukhoi-30 and Tejas fighters marked the parade, a symbol of an Indian army that is still 60% equipped with Russian equipment but wants to reduce its dependence.

Women were also in the spotlight this year in parades and floral floats extolling the virtues of the 28 States of the Indian Federation.

Away from Paris, Emmanuel Macron is also keeping abreast of the world agricultural crisis that threatens to hinder France, according to his entourage.

Narendra Modi, who was the guest of honor at the July 14 military parade in Paris, returned the favor six months later.

The Hindu nationalist leader, determined to demonstrate India's strength on the international stage, first invited American President Joe Biden, who ultimately did not act on tensions following an assassination plot against Sikh separatists in New York.

France is eyeing new contracts with the world's fifth-largest economy, ranging from defense to nuclear reactors.

India, concerned about its strategic autonomy, continues to diversify its acquisitions. It has purchased 36 French Rafales and is in negotiations to acquire another 26 units.

It also wants to consolidate its defense industrial base through joint ventures with French groups, from Dassault to missile maker MBDA, which are synonymous with technology transfer.

From aeronautics to autonomous vehicles and cyber defense, a roadmap has been agreed to jointly produce more products in India, India's Ministry of External Affairs announced.

– “Dangerous” articles –

The two countries, which have collaborated for 60 years in the space field, also signed a declaration of intent to launch a satellite.

On Thursday, Narendra Modi pulled out all the stops by inviting his hosts to parade through the streets of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state, in front of tens of thousands of cheering Indians and especially chanting “Modi, Modi”.

As the country with the largest demographic (1.43 billion people) and a nuclear power country, India is a heavyweight and increasingly sought after.

France, for its part, intends to be a player in the Asia-Pacific zone and a balancing force between North and South.

However, by appearing with the Indian Prime Minister, President Macron was also singled out by human rights organizations who condemned the Indian regime's excessive authoritarian actions and repression of religious minorities, especially Muslims.

The case of French journalist Vanessa Dognac, who was threatened with expulsion for an article deemed “dangerous”, was also included in the visit. New Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné will discuss the issue with his Indian counterpart.