French President Macron's India Visit 2024

French President Macron's India visit

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

Macron's two-day state visit marked his participation as the Chief Guest in India's 75th Republic Day celebrations.
Symbolic Importance: Underlined the enduring friendship between India and France.

Signed Agreements and Deals:

Defense:

Roadmap for Partnership: Outlined a strategic framework for the India-France defense industrial collaboration.
Defense Space Partnership: Formalized through a letter of intent between the Ministry of Defence (India) and the Ministry for the Armed Forces (France).

Space Exploration:

NSIL and Arianespace: Memorandum of Understanding between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Arianespace SAS, France, fostering collaboration in space exploration.

Civil Aviation:

Helicopter Assembly Line: Agreement between TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus to establish an assembly line for H125 helicopters in India.

Science and Technology:

Research Collaboration: Framework cooperation arrangement between the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, and Institut National de Recherche pour L'Agriculture, L'Alimentation Et L'Environnement (INRAE), France.
Funding Research Projects: Framework arrangement between DST, India, and Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), France, for funding research projects.

Health:

Cooperation Agreement: Declaration of intent between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India) and the Ministry of Labour, Health, and Solidarity (France) on cooperation in the field of health and medicine.

Public Administration and Urban Development:

Administrative Reforms: Letter of intent between the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (India) and the Ministry of Public Sector Transformation and the Civil Service (France) on public administration and administrative reforms.

Renewable Energy:

Sustainable Urban Development: Renewal of the agreement between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (India) and the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion (France) on cooperation in sustainable urban development.

Key Announcements:

Innovation Year: 2026 declared as the India-France Year of Innovation.
Operationalisation: Unified Payment Interface (UPI) at the Eiffel Tower.
Solar Academy: Establishment in Senegal under the STAR-C program of the International Solar Alliance.
Diplomatic Presence: Opening of India’s Consulate in Marseille and French Bureau de France in Hyderabad.
Visa and Mobility: Operationalisation of the Young Professional Scheme and 5-year validity Schengen Visa for Indian Masters alumni.
Global Support: Pledge to support France for the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in 2025.

Cultural Engagements:

Macron and PM Modi's roadshow in Jaipur.
Visits to iconic Indian monuments like Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, and the Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in Delhi.
President Macron's state visit showcased the depth and breadth of India-France collaboration, spanning defense, space, technology, health, and more, while also fostering cultural ties and setting the stage for future growth and innovation.

STAR-C Program of the International Solar Alliance:

The STAR-C (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory – Coronagraph) program is an initiative under the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

ISA: Founded in 2015, the ISA is an international organization aimed at promoting solar energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Purpose and Objectives:

Solar Energy Promotion: STAR-C focuses on advancing solar technologies and harnessing solar energy for sustainable development.

Space-Based Observations: Aims to enhance space-based observations of the Sun, enabling better understanding of solar activities and their impact on Earth.

Key Components:

Coronagraph Technology: Utilizes coronagraphs, instruments that observe the Sun's outer atmosphere (corona), to study solar phenomena and space weather.

Solar Research: Facilitates research on solar dynamics, solar wind, and other solar-related phenomena.

Amber Fort

Location: Situated near Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Historical Significance: Built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I, it served as the main residence of the Rajput Maharajas.

Architectural Marvel: Combines Rajput and Mughal architectural styles, featuring impressive gates, courtyards, and palaces.

Key Features: Notable structures within the fort include the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Diwan-e-Aam (Public Audience Hall), and Diwan-e-Khas (Private Audience Hall).

Amer Light and Sound Show: Offers a captivating evening show narrating the history of the fort.

Jantar Mantar

Location: Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Heritage Site: Part of a collection of astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the 18th century.

Architectural Precision: Houses a collection of 19 astronomical instruments, including the world's largest stone sundial.

Purpose: Designed for accurate observation of celestial bodies and measurement of time.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Recognized for its cultural and scientific significance.

Hawa Mahal

Location: Situated in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Architectural Marvel: Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, renowned for its unique honeycomb structure with 953 small windows (jharokhas).

Purpose: Originally constructed to allow royal women to observe street festivals without being seen.

Cultural Symbol: Represents the rich Rajputana architecture and is a prominent landmark in Jaipur.

Interior: The palace includes small chambers, courtyards, and passages.

Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah

Location: Situated in Delhi.

Spiritual Significance: Dargah (mausoleum) of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, a revered Sufi saint of the Chishti order.

Historical Context: Constructed in the 14th century, it holds the tomb of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia.

Cultural Heritage: A center for Qawwali music performances and Sufi rituals, attracting devotees and tourists alike.

Architectural Features: The complex includes various structures like Jama'at-Khana Masjid, Chini Ka Burj, and the tombs of notable personalities.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. The construction of Amber Fort began in the 18th century under the patronage of Maharaja Jai Singh II.

2. Jantar Mantar is known for its sundials, where each sundial precisely represents a different time zone globally.

3. The honeycomb structure of Hawa Mahal is known for its facade with small windows (jharokhas) but doesn't incorporate secret passages or concealed chambers.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A) Only 1

B) Only 2

C) All 3

D) None

Answer: D) None

Explanation:

1. The construction of Amber Fort began in the 18th century under the patronage of Maharaja Jai Singh II.

Incorrect.

The construction of Amber Fort actually began in the 16th century under the patronage of Raja Man Singh I, not in the 18th century under Maharaja Jai Singh II. The fort served as the main residence for Rajput Maharajas.

2. Jantar Mantar is known for its sundials, where each sundial precisely represents a different time zone globally.

Incorrect.

Jantar Mantar is renowned for its astronomical instruments, including sundials. However, it's not accurate to say that each sundial precisely represents a different time zone globally. The sundials in Jantar Mantar are primarily designed for specific astronomical observations and measurements, not for indicating different time zones worldwide.

3. The honeycomb structure of Hawa Mahal is known for its facade with small windows (jharokhas) but doesn't incorporate secret passages or concealed chambers.

Incorrect.

The honeycomb structure of Hawa Mahal is indeed known for its distinctive facade featuring small windows known as jharokhas. However, it does not incorporate secret passages or concealed chambers. The purpose of the honeycomb design was to allow royal women to observe street festivals without being seen.

Hence, None of the statements are correct.