French President Hollande to be chief guest at Republic Day parade

New Delhi: In a major step which will further help cement diplomatic ties between India and France, French President Francois Hollande on Friday accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to be the chief guest at India's 67th Republic Day Parade on January 26 next year.

The acceptance of Republic Day invitation by the French president is being seen as major diplomatic victory for the PM Modi-led NDA government as it has come on the heels of 13/11 Paris attacks.

According to sources in the government, PM Modi wants to send a strong message to the world that India is strictly against terrorism.

Earlier this year, US President Barack Obama had graced the Republic Day function in New Delhi.