New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron accepted India's invitation to be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

PM Modi posted on X (fromally Twitter): "We eagerly look forward to receiving you as the Chief Guest at the 75th Republic Day. We will also celebrate India-France strategic partnership and shared belief in democratic values."

The French president’s invitation came after US President Joe Biden wasn’t available to attend the event.

According to the report, the strengthening of ties between France and India has been facilitated by a 25-year plan to expand cooperation in space, nuclear energy, and defence.

India has stated that it intends to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation SA and three Scorpene submarines built by France's Naval Group.

In July, Modi was the guest of honour at the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, commemorating the French Revolution.

PM Modi had stated that India was considering cooperating on small modular nuclear reactors as well as joint production of defence equipment, including helicopter engines, the report stated.

Macron is also looking to expand political and commercial relations with India, the most populous nation on Earth, in an effort to counter China's rise, according to the report.

Total goods traded between France and India approached $15.8 billion in 2022, up 6%.

The Republic Day celebrations in the nation's capital will see a French leader as Chief Guest for the sixth time, this time being Macron.

Previous Chief Guests on the occasion were former Presidents Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in 1980, 2008, and 2016, respectively, and former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac in 1976 and 1998.