Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (July 14) joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour with an Indian tri-services marching contingent wowing crowds here during the French National Day celebrations.
French President Emmanuel Macron, welcoming India as the Guest of Honour at the French annual celebrations, hailed the country as “a giant in world history, with a decisive role to play in the future, a strategic partner, a friend”. “1.4 billion Indians will always be grateful to France for being a strong and trusted partner,” Mr. Modi responded.
After receiving the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian and military honour, on Thursday (July 13), Mr. Modi on Friday (July 14) thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and France’s first lady Brigitte Macron for hosting him at the Elysee Palace.
On Friday (July 14), Mr. Modi and Mr. Macron are expected to finalise and announce key defence deals, including India’s procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighters to operate off the aircraft carriers and three additional Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines from France.
