Indian Prime Minister Modi takes part in Bastille Day parade in France

Indian Prime Minister joins French President for Bastille Day celebrations.

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, embarked on a significant two-day official visit to France, where he joined President Emmanuel Macron in celebrating the French National Day, also known as Bastille Day. This day holds great importance for the French people as it commemorates the historic storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789.

Modi and Macron had the privilege of witnessing the impressive Bastille Day parade, which featured both French and Indian soldiers marching down the iconic Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. Adding to the spectacle, the parade included a fly-past over the Arc de Triomphe by the French-made Rafale fighter jets, which India had acquired in 2015.

The Indian Prime Minister's visit to Paris commenced on Thursday, during which he was honored with the Legion of Honour, the highest award bestowed by France. However, the national celebrations coincided with a challenging period for Macron, as he faced some public disapproval and boos while driving down the Champs-Elysees in a military car.

This parade holds even greater significance as it follows India's recent approval to purchase an additional 26 Rafale jets for its navy, along with three Scorpene class submarines. This move further strengthens the defense ties between India and France, as both nations seek allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The total value of these purchases is estimated to be around 800 billion rupees ($9.75 billion), pending negotiation.

For decades, France has been a steadfast partner to India in Europe, demonstrating unwavering support. Notably, France stood apart from other Western nations by refraining from imposing sanctions on India after its nuclear tests in 1998. This enduring partnership has laid a solid foundation for cooperation and collaboration between the two countries.