France's Macron Begins State Visit, Defence Links A Top Priority

French President Emmanuel Macron is in India for a two-day state visit that will see him serve as chief guest for India's Republic Day holiday on 26 Jan. Both New Delhi and Paris have said that the visit is more ceremonial than substantive in outcomes. In spite of this, the French gov't in particular is seen as keen to discuss defence cooperation (France is India's second-largest military supplier), as well as areas such as cybersecurity, and nuclear and solare energy.

• As Reuters reports the "Indian government had given an initial approval to buy 26 Rafale jets and jointly produce three Scorpene class submarines worth around 800 billion rupees ($9.62 billion).But the deals are yet to be finalised."
• While likely looking to avoid more controverisal topics, Macron is expected to bring up the war in Ukraine. India is seen as having a notable about of sway with Moscow, given its position as a major purchaser of Russian military equipment and New Delhi's maintenance of ties with Russia while those of the West have been cut off.