- July 13, 2023
PM Modi to boost defence ties in France, attend Bastille Day celebrations: Key points | India News – Times of India
In his packed two-day visit, PM Modi has several high-level engagements lined up which could also conclude in the announcement of big-ticket defence agreements, including the purchase of 26 Rafale jets for the Indian Navy.
On July 14, PM Modi will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations, which will also see participation from a tri-services contingent of the Indian forces.
Here are some key points about PM Modi’s visit …
‘A new impetus to India-France ties’
Before embarking for Paris today, PM Modi had expressed confidence that his visit to France will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership.
He said that he looks forward to holding wide-ranging discussions with President Emmanuel Macron on taking forward the time-tested relationship over the next 25 years.
In his departure statement, Modi said his visit to France was particularly special as he will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.
MoD nod to 26 Rafale jets for Navy
Earlier, the defence ministry approved the proposed procurement of 26 Naval variant of Rafale jets from France, sources said.
The project was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day visit to Paris.
The DAC, which is the defence ministry’s highest decision making body on procurement, also cleared a proposal for construction of three more Scorpene submarines in India.
The mega defence projects are expected to be announced after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday.
PM Modi’s UNSC pitch
Ahead of his visit, PM Modi gave an interview to French newspaper ‘Les Echos’ in which he made a strong case for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Prime Minister Modi said the UN was one of the many global institutions that were founded in the wake of the Second World War, and it has to be seen whether they are representative of today’s world which has transformed a lot in the last eight decades.
“The issue is not just of credibility, but something much larger. I believe that the world needs to have an honest discussion about the multilateral governance structures that were built in the aftermath of second World War,” he said.
“We live in an era of new technology. New powers have risen causing a relative shift in global balance. We face new challenges, including climate change, cyber security, terrorism, space security, pandemics. I could go on about the changes. In this changed world, many questions arise – are these representative of today’s world? Are they able to discharge the roles for which they were set up? Do countries around the world feel that these organizations matter, or are relevant?” PM Modi said.
He said, “How can the UN Security Council claim to be speaking for the world, when its most populous country and largest democracy is not a permanent member?”
“The UN Security Council, in particular, epitomises this dissonance. How can we talk of it as a primary organ of a global body, when entire continents of Africa and Latin America are ignored? How can it claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member? And its skewed member-ship leads to opaque decision making processes, which adds to its helplessness in ad-dressing the challenges of today,” he added.
Landmark visit
PM Modi’s visit also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.
In his departure statement, PM Modi had noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of India-France strategic partnership.
“Rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties,” he said.
Photo exhibition at French foreign affairs building
Celebrating the strong bilateral ties between India and France, the landmark building of French foreign affairs ministry has been decked up in the wake of PM Modi’s visit.
French Ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain, said that a photo exhibition is being organised at the building to celebrate India-France ties.
“As PM @narendramodi reaches #Paris, the landmark building of the French Foreign Affairs Ministry is all decked up to celebrate France-India ties! Don’t miss this photo exhibition if you’re in Paris,” Lenain wrote on Twitter.
(With inputs from agencies)
