France celebrates Bastille Day this year with a parade in Paris Friday (July 14), with French, Indian, and African troops marching together. French President Emmanuel Macron was present in the parade, as well as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a guest of honor.
India's Defense Deal with France
Modi has traveled to France on a two-day trip to secure high-profile defense deals with Paris.
Both leaders watched as both French and Indian military personnel marched past the saluting base at the end of the Champs Elysees. Also present were the Indian Air Force's Dassault Rafale fighter jets which New Delhi bought from the French in 2015.
In addition, troops from six nations in Africa followed behind the Indian units.
When Modi arrived in Paris Thursday (July 13), 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," he said on Twitter. "This is an honor for the 140 crore (1.4 billion) people of India."
In response, Macron said in a speech late Thursday that India is "a giant in the history of the world" and would have a "determining role" in the future. "It is also a strategic partner and a friend," he added.
An Al Jazeera report said the Indian defense ministry has given the initial support to acquire 26 more Rafale jets and three Scorpene-class submarines. The total value of the purchases is expected to value at around $9.75 billion, according to a source familiar with the details, although it that was still subject to negotiations, as Reuters reported.
Bastille Day commemorates the day and 1789 when 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 which they eventually toppled.
Macron and Modi in Hot Water
National celebrations came and a delicate time for Macron who was also heckled by some members of the public as he drove down the Champs Elysees in a military vehicle. His decision to raise the retirement age sparked months of protests this spring, causing his popularity ratings to plummet. In addition, he was also being blamed for the death of a teenager in Paris, as well as arrests during the subsequent protests in the lead-up to the national holiday.
As a result, French authorities have temporarily banned the use of fireworks for Bastille Day because some protesters are using it against riot police. This also prompted local governments to cancel fireworks shows for their own Bastille Day events.
On the other hand, Modi's visit has also been criticized by human rights organizations who were concerned about the perceived growing authoritarian nature of his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as well as accusations of discrimination against minorities such as Muslim Indians.
Foremost criticizing the visit was the French Human Rights League (LDH). "The [Ligue des Droits de l'Homme], concerned about India's authoritarian turn, denounces this invitation which sends a disastrous signal, negating our democratic values," the group said on Twitter.
French leftist leader Jean-Luc Melanchon also said while India was a "friendly country," Modi was a far-right leader who was "violently hostile to Muslims in his country."
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