Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in turban, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive to witness the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI — French President Emmanuel Macron was the guest of honor on Friday for India's pompfilled annual military parade, in a state visit aimed at shoring up France's strategic ties with the world's fifth-largest economy.

The annual Republic Day spectacle in the heart of New Delhi is a highly choreographed spectacle featuring tank columns, fighter jet flypasts, acrobatic motorbike stunts and mounted camel units.

This year, it coincides with a twoday diplomatic tour that reflects a growing partnership between India and France, after Macron hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi at last year's Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.

On Friday, Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Macron arrived at the majestic Kartavaya Path in the "traditional horse-drawn buggy", instead of a fortified sedan, accompanied by men in red uniforms atop majestic horses, the practice which made a comeback after 40 years.

Macron last visited India in November for the G20 summit of industrialized and developing nations.

Macron has pushed for greater French involvement in the Asia-Pacific at a time when Washington and its Western allies are courting India as a military and economic pivot in the region.

Indian exports to France totaled $3.06 billion and imports from France were $2.36 billion in the past year, according to India's External Affairs Ministry.

Before his arrival in India on Thursday, Macron's office said India was "a key partner in contributing to international peace and security".

India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Friday that India's Tata group and France's Airbus had signed an agreement to manufacture civilian helicopters together.

Tata and Airbus are already cooperating to make the C-295 transport aircraft in Modi's home state of Gujarat.

Defense cooperation

Further cooperation in the defense sector was also discussed during Macron's state visit, officials said, including the possibility of French engine maker Safran assisting in the manufacture of fighter jet engines in India.

France is already India's second-largest arms supplier and the South Asian nation has relied on its fighter jets for four decades now.

The two sides were also expected to continue discussions on India's plans to purchase 26 French Rafale fighter aircraft for its navy, approved by India's Defense Acquisition Council last year. The council also approved a plan to purchase three Scorpene submarines, jointly developed by France and Spain.

France already has delivered 36 Rafale fighter aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force.

India has been working to modernize its armed forces and has sought to diversify its defense acquisitions beyond its traditional supplier Russia, media commented.

A contingent of French soldiers, including a Foreign Legion marching band, joined the parade, which marks the adoption of India's Constitution in 1950, nearly three years after India won independence from British colonial rule.

New Delhi police deployed over 14,000 security personnel across the capital ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.

Indian troops had marched down the Champs-Elysees last year under Modi's watch during last year's Bastille Day parade.

Modi greeted Macron at an 18th-century observatory in the city of Jaipur and the two stood in an open jeep as they were driven for about 1.5 kilometers. Macron waved at the crowd 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.

Modi gifted Macron a miniature replica of a newly-opened temple as the pair toured Jaipur together on Thursday evening.

Agencies and <span class="epaper-contributor">Aparajit Chakraborty</span> in New Delhi contributed to this story.