New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron has toured historic sites in western India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the way to being Modi’s chief guest at the country’s national day celebrations.

Modi greeted Macron at an 18th-century observatory in Jaipur and the two stood in an open jeep as they were driven for about 1.5 kilometres. Macron waved at the crowds lining the streets that welcomed the leaders with a showering of rose and marigold petals.

Large cutouts of their images with the inscription “India-France Friendship” dotted the route. Macron also visited a 17th-century fort in the city that is a popular tourist destination.

“His presence not only strengthens the ties between our nations but also adds a significant chapter to our shared history of friendship and collaboration,” Modi said on the X social media platform.

Macron and Modi later held a meeting at a hotel in Jaipur before flying to New Delhi. There was no immediate official statement about the outcome of the meeting, but they were expected to discuss issues like economic, defence, space and cybersecurity, as well as France’s role in the Indo-Pacific region.

France is looking to strengthen cooperation with India, despite frictions over the two countries’ attitudes towards Russia’s war on Ukraine.

“Macron is committed to the pursuit of a closer dialogue with India, a key player on the international scene from a demographic point of view, as well as economic, scientific and diplomatic,” his office said in a statement.

France has reiterated its commitment to a defence relationship with India, including sharing technology. The two countries are working on co-development and co-production defence projects, the Indian External Affairs Ministry said.