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Metropolis Desk-
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been treated to one of France’s most spectacular accolades as a guest of honor at the Bastille Day military parade, part of a visit that has sealed high-profile defence deals.
Modi and President Emmanuel Macron on Friday watched French and Indian soldiers march down the tree-lined Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris, while French-made Rafale fighter jets India bought in 2015 took part in a fly-past over the Arc de Triomphe, reports Al Jazeera.
Bastille Day commemorates the day in 1789 that French citizens stormed the Bastille fortress, which was used to detain prisoners and had become a symbol of the harsh rule of the French monarchy.
The national celebrations come at a delicate time for Macron, who was also booed by some members of the public as he drove down the Champs Elysees in a military car. His decision to raise the retirement age sparked months of protests this spring and has hurt his popularity ratings.
Modi began a two-day visit to Paris on Thursday when he was granted the Legion of Honor, France’s highest award.
“It is with great humility that I accept the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. This is an honor for the 140 crore [1.4 billion] people of India,” the 72-year-old Indian leader posted on Twitter.
“[India] is a giant in the history of the world which will have a determining role in our future,” Macron said in a speech late on Thursday. “It is also a strategic partner and a friend.”
The Indian defence ministry on Thursday gave initial approval to buy an extra 26 French-made 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 around $9.75bn, according to a source familiar with the details, although that was still subject to negotiations, the Reuters news agency reported.
Despite differences over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Western nations, including the United States, have been courting Modi and India as a military and economic counterweight to China.
France has been one of India’s closest partners in Europe for decades. It was the only Western nation not to impose sanctions on New Delhi after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998.
India has relied on French fighter jets for four decades now. Before buying Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, India bought Mirage jets in the 1980s and those still comprise two squadrons of the air force.
The aging fleet of India’s Russian-made planes, Moscow’s inability to perform maintenance work, and delays in India’s indigenous manufacturing plans have led to the two new defence deals.
Later on Friday, Macron will host Modi at the Elysee Palace for talks before a state banquet at the Louvre Museum.
Source: Al Jazeera
