India’s Modi Honored as France Celebrates Bastille Day

France Fetes India‘s Modi at Bastille Day Celebration

Background

On July 14, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored as the guest of honor at the Bastille Day military parade in France. This visit also marked the sealing of high-profile defense deals between the two countries. Modi, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, watched as French and Indian soldiers marched down the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. The fly-past over the Arc de Triomphe featured French-made Rafale fighter jets, which were previously bought by India in 2015.

Strategic Partnership

During his visit, Modi was granted the Legion of Honour, France‘s highest award, highlighting the significance of the relationship between the two nations. President Macron referred to India as a “giant in the history of the world” that will have a determining role in their future. He emphasized that India is not only a strategic partner but also a friend.

The Bastille Day parade comes at a crucial time for Macron, who has faced public dissent due to his decision to raise the retirement age. The protests negatively impacted his popularity ratings. However, the celebration showcased France‘s commitment to strengthening its alliance with India and deepening defense ties.

Defense Deals

New Delhi has given initial approval to purchase an additional 26 Rafale jets and three Scorpene-class submarines from France. These purchases come as both nations seek allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The total value of the deals is expected to be around 800 billion rupees ($9.75 billion), although further negotiations are required.

France has been a close partner of India in Europe for decades. Notably, it was the only Western nation that did not impose sanctions on India after it conducted nuclear tests in 1998. India has relied on French fighter jets for four decades, with Mirage jets comprising two squadrons of the Indian Air Force. The aging fleet of Russian-made planes, along with maintenance challenges, led to the decision to purchase new defense equipment from France.

Criticism and Concern

Despite the celebration, Modi‘s visit has drawn criticism from human rights organizations. They express concerns about the perceived growing authoritarian nature of Modi‘s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and allegations of discrimination against minorities. The French Ligue des Droits de l’Homme (LDH) rights group denounced the invitation, raising concerns about India‘s democratic values in the face of an authoritarian turn.

Strategic Significance

For France, the strategic partnership with India is crucial as it seeks to consolidate its alliance network in the Indo-Pacific region. France aims to strengthen cooperation with India, particularly considering the setback caused by Australia’s decision to cancel a major submarine contract with France and form the AUKUS alliance with Britain and the United States.

Both India and France have deep interests in the Indian Ocean and share concerns about China’s growing assertiveness in the region. In light of these shared concerns, France‘s invitation to Modi for the Bastille Day celebration demonstrates the importance placed on India as a key partner in the region.

Conclusion

The Bastille Day celebration in France served as a symbolic gesture to honor India‘s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. Through defense deals and diplomatic engagements, the visit highlighted the importance of India as a significant player in the Indo-Pacific region and emphasized France‘s commitment to deepen ties.

However, criticism from human rights organizations underscores the need for both countries to address concerns about democratic values and minority rights. As France seeks to consolidate its alliances and India strives to maintain its global position, it is crucial for these nations to navigate their strategic partnerships while upholding their shared democratic values.