The Rafale fighter jets will be used on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, reports said. (File)
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a historic visit to France this week, where he will be the guest of honor at Friday’s celebrations of Bastille Day – the country’s Independence Day, which marked the beginning of France more than 200 years ago. French Revolution marks. A major defense acquisition pact and exhaustive bilateral engagement is expected to be the highlights of the journey.
At a reception chaired by President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Modi will meet France’s entire political leadership, including the French Prime Minister, the Speakers of the Senate (Upper House) and the National Assembly (Lower House). A major focus of his visit will be trade and economics, with a CEO forum to be held with leading names from the two countries.
India, a major customer for French weapons including Dassault’s Rafale fighter jets, is likely to expand its defense purchases from France during this visit. According to reports, Prime Minister Modi is expected to announce the purchase of an additional 26 Rafale jets for use on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. Furthermore, three Scorpene-class submarines, built in partnership with France, are also planned to augment India’s naval capabilities.
The addition of these defense assets is intended to modernize India’s armed forces in the face of possible future threats from its northern neighbour, China. India’s defense cooperation with France is likely to be a major topic during Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Macron.
However, it is not only economic and strategic interests at play during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, which is reportedly coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France. It is a rare honor that an Indian military contingent, comprising all three services, will participate in the Bastille Day celebrations.
The French National Day, or Bastille Day, holds a special place in the French consciousness as it commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789. The Bastille Day parade is the highlight of the celebrations.
Prime Minister Modi’s itinerary is also expected to leverage his warm personal chemistry with Mr Macron as the French leader will have multiple meetings with the prime minister, including a private dinner and joint meeting with CEOs alongside the state banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum on Bastille Day . During the trip, Prime Minister Modi will also talk to the Indian community in France.
The trip to France comes on the heels of Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the White House and marks an era of increasing engagement between India and Western powers.
