NEW DELHI: France has accepted India’s invitation to President Francois Hollande to be chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade in January, local reports said on Sunday.

They said the move comes in the wake of the attacks in Paris following which world nations including India have rallied behind France.

President Hollande has appealed for a global coalition to destroy the militant Islamic State group in the wake of the attacks across Paris.

“France is at war. We’re not engaged in a war of civilisations, because these assassins do not represent any. We are in a war against jihadist terrorism which is threatening the whole world,” he said.

The visit may also see breakthrough in key arms deals like the purchase of Rafale jets. Hollande’s predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy was chief guest at the Republic Day parade in 2008.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2015