PM Modi will be a special guest at the French military parade.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as the guest of honor by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Bastille Day celebrations in France. Bastille Day, also known as French National Day, is celebrated on July 14th each year and holds great historical significance for France. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris during the French Revolution in 1789, which marked a significant turning point in the revolution.
The upcoming Bastille Day celebrations are of particular importance as India and France are also celebrating the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership. The invitation extended to Prime Minister Modi demonstrates the strong bond between the two nations. This visit presents an opportunity to further enhance the strategic and economic ties between India and France.
During the visit, both sides are expected to sign a major deal on manufacturing jet engines in India. This deal holds significance as it follows similar agreements between India and the United States, highlighting the growing efforts of Western nations to strengthen ties with India, the world’s largest democracy. French defense conglomerate Safran is expected to transfer full technology for its engines, which will power India’s advanced multi-role combat aircraft and deck-based fighters for aircraft carriers.
The Bastille Day military parade, scheduled for July 14th, will witness the participation of Indian forces, symbolizing the deepening cooperation and partnership between India and France. The Elysee Palace has described this event as marking a new phase in the strategic partnership between the two nations. It is expected that strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation will be further expanded, with new objectives being set in various industrial sectors.
The Modi-Macron meeting in Paris is expected to strengthen the ties between the two leaders and provide a platform for discussing important matters of mutual interest. The focus will be on furthering strategic and economic collaborations, with both leaders expressing their eagerness to meet and strengthen the friendship between India and France.
India has been actively pursuing the modernization of its armed forces to effectively address potential threats, particularly considering simmering disputes with China over the Himalayan frontier. The country has already procured French-made Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, and discussions are underway to acquire the maritime variant of Rafale, known as Rafale M, for the Indian Navy’s Multi-Role Carrier-Borne Fighters program. This would enable the Indian Navy to utilize the training and maintenance facility in Ambala, further enhancing operational capabilities.
The visit of Prime Minister Modi to France as the guest of honor for the Bastille Day celebrations signifies the importance of the bilateral relationship between India and France. It provides an opportunity to strengthen strategic and economic ties, celebrate the 25th anniversary of their partnership, and foster cultural exchange between the two nations.
In conclusion, the Bastille Day celebrations in France, with Prime Minister Modi as the guest of honor, hold great significance for both countries. The visit presents an opportunity to deepen strategic and economic ties, sign important agreements, and celebrate the strong bond between India and France.