This Thursday morning PM Modi departed for France for his two-days official visit to France. In a statement the PM said that he will join French president Emmanual Macron for French National Day, or Bastille Day in Paris as a guest of honour.
During the Bastille Day Parade, an Indian tri-service contingent will be part of the parade, while Indian Air Force aircrafts will perform a fly-past.
PM Modi will also be meeting other French leaders and personalities, the Indian community and leading CEOs from both the countries.

This year marks the 25th year anniversary of strategic partnership between both the countries. Both the countries cooperate closely across domains like defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people to people ties.

During this visit to France, PM Modi will hold talks with President Macron on key areas including defence, space, trade and investment. Boosting defence ties is expected to be a key focus of the talks between PM Modi and President Macron.

India has already obtained 36 Rafale jets from France for the Indian Air Force . India may purchase another 26 Rafale jets and three Scorpene class submarines. The proposal to purchase them has been placed before the defence ministry. The purchase may include 22-single seated rafale along with 4 trainer aircrafts.
The urgency to acquire these aircrafts and submarines is high because of the various security challenges, and especially the threats posed by China in the Indian Ocean.
This visit of the PM Modi to France is also expected to explore new areas of cooperation in the space sector between India and France.
However, France has an ongoing nationwide riot. The reason for the riot is the fatal shooting of a 17 year old unarmed French citizen of Algerian-Moroccan descent by the French police after being stopped for a traffic violation in the suburbs of Paris.
The Foreign Secretary of India Vinay Kwatra on Wednesday stated to news agency ANI, that the civilian riots in Paris will not impact Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to France, and the riot is an internal matter of France.

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