The comfort of India-France friendship will light the way forward: President

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the comfort of India-France friendship and the strength of “our partnership will light the way forward”.

Murmu received Emmanuel Macron, the President of the French Republic, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here and hosted a banquet in his honour.

Welcoming President Macron, she said the leaders of the two countries being guests of honor in each other’s successive National Day parades and celebrations is a historic moment and “a symbol of the depth of our friendship and the strength of our partnership.”

Macron was the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path in Delhi on Friday.

Murmu expressed satisfaction that both sides have outlined an ambitious vision of “our partnership for India’s Amrit Kaal and added that this visit has strengthened our resolve to realize this vision”.

“The President was confident that the comfort of India-France friendship and the strength of our partnership will light the way forward,” a statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

Murmu said the shared values ​​of freedom, equality, fraternity and justice connect India and France, but the ties between the people of the two countries are even deeper.

She said people have inspired each other with “our thoughts and ideals, and we have enriched each other through philosophy, literature, art, writings, languages ​​and more.”

Murmu recalled seeing firsthand the influence of French culture in Pondicherry’s vibrant heritage, and its deep ties with France’s Indian diaspora.

She said that Pondicherry is indeed a living bridge between France and India.

First print: January 26, 2024 | 11:52 PM IST