French President Emmanuel Macron replaces US counterpart Joe Biden as chief guest for R-day parade next year

French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade next month, replacing US President Joe Biden who declined the invite. This will be the sixth time a French leader will attend the event. Macron's invitation comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest at the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris earlier this year. France is India's key strategic partner in Europe and the Indian Ocean, with growing ties in defense, security, space, and energy. India and France share a high degree of convergence on regional and global issues.