In a heartwarming display of cultural diplomacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged festive greetings in Hindi and French on the occasion of Holi, showcasing the strengthening ties between India and France.
The exchange occurred on social media platforms during Holi celebrations in India on March 4, with both leaders using each other’s languages to convey their wishes. President Macron initiated the exchange by posting a brief message in Hindi, “Happy Holi, my friend,” which garnered significant attention online for his use of Hindi in addressing the Indian Prime Minister.
This gesture is not new for President Macron, who previously used Hindi during his visit to India in February 2026 when he captioned a photo with PM Modi with the phrase “Jai Ho.”
In response, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to the French President and extended his wishes in French, conveying, “Thank you very much, my friend! On the sacred occasion of Holi, I extend my sincere wishes of happiness and prosperity to you and the people of France.”
The bilingual exchange between the two leaders sparked reactions on social media, with users appreciating the use of Hindi and French. These greetings underscored the mutual respect and friendship shared between India and France, following President Macron’s recent visit to India where both countries announced the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, focusing on defense, artificial intelligence, and cultural collaborations.
The Holi greetings further complement these initiatives, emphasizing people-to-people connections and fostering stronger bilateral relations.
