Friday, July 14, on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron was greeted with a guard of honour as he made his way to the main stage for the day’s festivities commemorating Bastille Day.
The parade’s Guest of Honour is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The French flag’s red, blue, and white were used to paint the Champs-Élysées for the festivities.
When Macron arrived, he was greeted by PM Modi, and the two leaders had a heartfelt embrace. He also spoke to some of the other VIPs in attendance.
Macron rode in on an open truck, followed by a parade of troops on horses, jeeps, and bicycles. He also waved to the crowds who had come to celebrate France’s national holiday by watching the procession.
Modi wore a navy blue blazer with an off-white kurta and pyjama as he arrived at the Champs-Elysees.
Modi: France is a strong and reliable partner.
While praising France as a “strong and trusted partner,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to working towards a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
Modi is in France for two days, and on National Day, he served as the Chief Guest at the military parade.
India, he added, is doing all it can to make the world peaceful, wealthy, and sustainable, and he praised France as a “strong and trusted partner” in this endeavour.
On Twitter, PM Modi said, “India, inspired by its centuries-old ethos, is committed to doing everything possible to make our planet peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable.” The 1.4 billion people of India will always remember France as a reliable ally. “May this friendship grow even stronger!”
At an event on Thursday for the Indian community in Paris, the PM discussed the four decades of ties he has had with France.
Around forty years ago, he remembered, he became the first person in India to join Alliance Francaise, the French cultural institution.
After meeting with members of the Indian diaspora at Paris’s La Seine Musicale, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Friends, personally my fondness for France has been for a very long time and I cannot forget it. Approximately forty years ago, the Alliance Francaise, a French cultural institution, opened in the Gujarati city of Ahmedabad. And right now, you’re hearing from the pioneering member of that Indian cultural centre. A photocopy of the identification card was given to me by the French government a few years ago, and I still treasure it.
French President Emmanuel Macron calls India a “historical giant.”
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed India as a “giant” in global history and a “strategic partner” as the nation was honoured as the Bastille Day Parade’s Guest of Honour.
A giant in international history, with a crucial role to play in the future, a strategic partner, and a friend,” President Macron tweeted. At the 14th of July parade, we are pleased to have India as our special guest.
The Indian and French armies both used trumpets and drums during their marches.
Before the military march, Macron was greeted by a Guard of Honour.
French National Assembly President hosts lunch for Prime Minister Modi
In Paris, Yal Braun-Pivet, President of the French National Assembly, hosted Prime Minister Modi for lunch.
Earlier, Modi served as the Chief Guest at France’s National Day military parade.
The Bastille Day parade down the Champs-Élysées in Paris was held in perfect weather.
As the Indian delegation marched along the Champs-Elysees, Prime Minister Modi accepted the ceremonial salute.
The Bastille Day Military Parade was attended by many notable people, including French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
The French fighter jets that led the flypast left behind a trail of smoke in the colours of the French flag—red, blue, and white—that lit up the night sky over the Champs-Elysees.
The Indian and French armies both used trumpets and drums during their marches. Before the military march, Macron was greeted by a Guard of Honour. The Champs-Élysées was illuminated in the national colours of France.
The two nations’ strategic alliance has been in place for 25 years, and this year commemorates its silver anniversary.
The day of July 14 commemorates the anniversary of the 1789 assault of the Bastille prison, a historic royal castle, by the rebel forces of the French Revolution.
Six thousand three hundred troops marched in the Bastille Day parade this year. The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force were all represented. The Punjab Regiment was there to represent the Indian Army. In the First World War alone, the Regiment’s soldiers earned 18 Battle and Theatre Honours for their efforts.
The Indian Air Force Rafales gave the crowd on the Champs-Elysees something to marvel at in a memorable moment for India.
Prime Minister Modi is awarded the Legion of Honor’s Grand Cross
Premier Modi described receiving France’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, as a “honour for the 140 crore people of India,” expressing his “humility” at the recognition.
Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter to express his gratitude for the award and the French people’s commitment to strengthening their relationship with India.
I receive the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour with the utmost humility. The 140 billion citizens of India are deserving of this recognition. I appreciate the kind offer from President @EmmanuelMacron, the French government, and the French people. It reflects their great passion for India and determination for deepening ties with our nation,” PM Modi tweeted.
On Thursday (local time), French President Emmanuel Macron made history by awarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. The Legion of Honour is the highest military and civilian honour in France.
PM Modi was the first Indian prime minister to be thus honoured.
After accepting his honour, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a meal at the Elysee Palace.
On July 13, 2023, President of the Republic of France Emmanuel Macron presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with France’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. The Prime Minister, “on behalf of the people of India,” thanked President Macron for the “unique honour,” according to the Ministry of External Affairs’ statement.
