PM Narendra Modi is in Paris on a two-day visit and will be the Guest of Honour on Bastille Day.
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PM Modi's visit will focus on strengthening India-France ties in various domains including defence and space, infrastructure and culture. The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership and his invitation for the Bastille Day indicates a new high in the bilateral relations.
PM Modi is currently at the Senate, where he will meet President of the Senate Gerrad Larcher and French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who received him at the airport. The opportunity to engage with the entire French political leadership indicates a shared commitment to the bilateral ties.
Around 11 PM Indian time, PM Modi will address an Indian community event at the iconic La Seine Musicale. Later, he would attend a private dinner hosted by the French President at his residence.
Tomorrow, the Bastille Day celebrations will be followed by bilateral talks. A range of topics is on agenda, including cooperation in the spheres of security, technology, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, climate change and space. The visit will conclude with a grand state banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum.
Before departing for France, PM Modi said he would hold wide-ranging discussions with President Emmanuel Macron to take forward the time-tested partnership. "Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people to people ties," PM Modi said in a statement.
A few big-ticket announcements are expected during the visit, which includes the acquisition of another 26 Rafale jets and three Scorpene submarines. The Defence Acquisition Committee headed by Union defence minister Rajnath Singh has cleared the process and negotiations are likely to follow.
Bastille Day, also known as Fete Nationale Francaise, is celebrated on July 14 and commemorates the storming of the French prison in 1789, which marks the beginning of the French Revolution.
The Indian tri-services are going to be an integral part of tomorrow's celebration. A 269-member contingent of the Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force will march alongside their French counterparts at the grand parade. The alliance between the two armies go back to World War 1.
France has been one of India's closest allies in Europe for decades. It was the only country not to impose sanctions on New Delhi after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998 and went on to become one of the staunchest defence partners. Over the years, India has replaced its aging Russian fleet with French Mirages, Rafales and Scorpenes.
From France, PM Modi will visit the United Arab Emirates and meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the ruler of Abu Dhabi.
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