Indian PM Modi visit to celebrate historic France ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Guest of Honour for the national day celebrations of France this year. Bastille Day, observed on July 14 every year, is France's National Day. The day is marked by a special military parade at the Champs Elysees in Paris.

On May 5, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made an announcement stating that French President Emmanuel Macron extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi. This visit holds the promise of enhancing the India-France Strategic Partnership by establishing ambitious objectives in areas such as strategic collaboration, cultural exchange, scientific advancements, academic pursuits, and economic cooperation. India and France share a common vision of peace and security, especially in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, upholding the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter. The forthcoming visit is likely to see the launch of some common initiatives responding to the key challenges of the time, such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides an opportunity for India and France to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, including in the context of India's G20 Presidency.

India and France are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership this year. An Indian armed forces contingent will participate in the Bastille Day Parade alongside their French counterparts to mark this important milestone.

France hosts the fourth-largest Indian diaspora in Europe, following the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany. The two nations have established a bilateral agreement focused on migration and mobility cooperation, with the objective of facilitating circular migration that enables individuals to enhance their skills abroad and subsequently return to contribute to their home country.

(ANI)