Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest award by Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France. The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace in Paris today.
Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour at Macron’s invitation, on the Champs-Élysées on July 14, 2023. To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade. The Indian Army contingent was led by the Punjab Regiment, along with the Rajputana Rifles Regiment. Rafale Jets of the Indian Air Force, from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara, formed a part of the flypast during the parade.
July 14 marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, during the French Revolution, which symbolises the democratic values of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’, the central theme of both the Indian and French Constitutions.
Modi thanked President Macron for this singular honour on behalf of the people of India.
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Earlier, Modi had addressed the Indian community at La Seine Musicale in Paris where he highlighted the multi-faceted India-France Strategic Partnership, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. He added that India and France were tackling many challenges of the 21st century, therefore, “at this crucial time”, the importance of the strategic partnership between our countries has increased even more.
While stating that the world today was moving in the direction of a “new world order”, Modi referred to India’s presidency of G-20 and pointed out that it was the first time in the history of G20 that under the presidency of any particular country, more than 200 meetings were being held in different parts of the country. “The entire G-20 group is watching India’s capabilities and is mesmerised by it,” he tweeted in Hindi.
The Prime Minister highlighted the contribution of the Indian community in France, and said, “People-to-people connect is the strongest foundation of the India-France partnership”. He further recounted that hundred years ago, Indian soldiers, protecting the pride of France, were martyred on French soil while performing their duty. ‘Then the Punjab Regiment, one of the regiments that took part in the war here, is going to participate in the National Day Parade tomorrow,” he pointed out.
The Prime Minister also announced the opening of a new consulate in Marseille, France.
Yesterday, Modi had a meeting with French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, and the two leaders discussed furthering cooperation in various areas such as economic and trade, energy, environment, education, mobility, railways, digital public infrastructure, museology and people-to-people ties.
Both sides reiterated their desire to further deepen the multifaceted cooperation between India and France.
– global bihari bureau
