PARIS
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be given one of France’s most spectacular recognitions on Friday as guest of honour at the Bastille Day military parade.
Modi and President Emmanuel Macron will watch French and Indian soldiers parade in Paris, while French-made Rafale fighter jets India bought in 2015 will take part in the fly-past over the Arc de Triomphe.
Modi began a two-day visit to Paris on Thursday. The parade comes after New Delhi gave initial approval to purchase an extra 26 Rafale jets for its navy and three Scorpene class submarines, deepening defence ties with Paris at a time the two nations are seeking allies in the Indo-Pacific.
The total value of the purchases is expected to be $9.75 billion, according to a source familiar with the details.
France has been one of India’s closest partners in Europe for decades. It was the only Western nation to not impose sanctions on New Delhi after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998.
India has relied on French fighter jets for four decades now. Much before buying Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, India bought Mirage jets in 1980s and those still comprise two squadrons of the air force.
