New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday arrived in France on a two-day official visit to the country, where he will attend the traditional Bastille Day military parade as the guest of honour and hold bilateral discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron.


PM Modi's visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between France and India.


Notably, French National Day, or Bastille Day, occupies a special place in the French consciousness as it commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789. The Bastille Day parade is the highlight of the celebrations.


India's tri-force contingent to take part in the Bastille Day parade:



  • During the parade on July 14, a total of 242 personnel, including marching contingents from the three Services and a military band, will participate. Additionally, three Rafale fighter jets from the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be part of the flypast.


  • The marching contingents of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and the IAF will participate in the parade along with their French counterparts.


  • The tri-services contingent comprised 77 marching personnel from the Army and 38 members from its band. The team is being led by Captain Aman Jagtap.


  • The Indian Navy contingent is being led by Commander Vrat Baghel, while the Army contingent is being represented by the Punjab Regiment which is one of the oldest regiments of the force. The Rajputana Rifles Regiment band is accompanying the contingent.


  • An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent of four Rafale fighter jets and two C-17 Globemasters are slated to participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees in Paris.


  • Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, a Mi-17 pilot, will lead the 68-member Indian Air Force's (IAF) marching contingent at the parade. She also led the IAF's marching contingent at the Republic Day parade on January 26 as well.


  • Meanwhile, during his visit, Modi will interact with the entire political leadership of France, including the French prime minister, the presidents of the senate (Upper House) and the national assembly (Lower House), while the key focus of his visit will be trade and economy with a CEO forum to be held comprising leading names from the two countries.


  • Modi will interact with prominent French personalities and speak to members of the Indian community at the prestigious La Seine Musicale.