Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses members of the Indian community gathered at the Seine Musicale on July 13, 2023 in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris (AFP/Bertrand GUAY)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the “unshakable friendship” with France on the first day of his official visit to Paris marked by the announcement by New Delhi of its intention to buy 26 additional Rafale planes, before the military parade of July 14, of which he will be the guest of honour.
“Tomorrow I will be at the National Day parade with my friend Emmanuel Macron. This closeness is not just that of two leaders from two countries. It is a reflection of the unshakable friendship between India and France”, launched Thursday evening the Prime Minister in front of members of the diaspora gathered to listen to him at the theater of the musical Seine near Paris.
At the same time Emmanuel Macron, in a speech to the Ministry of the Armed Forces, said he was “happy to welcome India as the guest of honor in our parade”. “It is a giant in the history of the world which will have a determining role for our future; it is also a strategic partner and a friendly country,” he added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses members of the Indian community gathered at the Seine Musicale on July 13, 2023 in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris (AFP/Bertrand GUAY)
Narendra Modi arrived at midday for this two-day official visit intended to further strengthen ties between the two countries linked by a 25-year-old strategic partnership, built in particular on cooperation in the field of military equipment.
India, which has already recently ordered 36 Rafale aircraft for its Air Force (three of which will fly over Paris on Friday), announced Thursday that it also wanted to acquire 26 Rafale in their Navy version to equip its aircraft carrier, as well as three Scorpène submarines.
The two countries also have a certain convergence of views on international relations.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi (g) review the Republican Guard at Orly airport on July 13, 2023 near Paris (POOL/AFP/Bertrand GUAY)
“We have the same desire for strategic autonomy. Our two countries are deeply committed to international law and we want the world to be multipolar,” Modi said in an interview with Les Echos newspaper, saying India saw the France as “one of (its) main global partners”.
New Delhi, an Asian giant on the front line of China’s rise, is adept at multi-alignment, for example continuing to cooperate with Russia despite being ostracized by the West since the invasion. from Ukraine.
– “Indo-Pacific” –
Paris wants to be a power of balance, multiplying the channels of dialogue and wishing to be a bridge between the Western bloc and the rest of the world.
“In recent years, we have been able to strengthen, with India in particular, with the United Arab Emirates as well, and with a few others, unprecedented, essential alliances and in particular within the framework of the Indo-Pacific”, declared Emmanuel Macron.
President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a dinner at the Elysee Palace on July 13, 2023 in Paris (AFP/Emmanuel DUNAND)
In this vast area covering the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the scene of growing tensions between Beijing and Washington and where France has overseas interests and territories, “the middle way we are pursuing is the right one, India there is a key partner,” said the French president, who was then to welcome Mr. Modi to the Elysée Palace for a private dinner, before a grand official dinner on Friday in the setting of the Louvre museum.
On Friday, between the parade and dinner for more than 200 guests, the Indian Prime Minister will have various appointments. A joint press statement is planned.
“Security, space, civil nuclear cooperation, technology, anti-terrorism, cybersecurity, climate change, renewable energies … will be on the menu of discussions,” Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwarta said on Wednesday.
Simultaneously the world’s largest demographic power, an economic giant, a major greenhouse gas emitter and a nuclear power, India is an unavoidable and increasingly courted heavyweight.
A few weeks ago, Narendra Modi had the honors of a state visit to Washington.
“India has seen its influence increase significantly in recent years,” notes researcher Fawa Aamer, of ASPI, who recalls that she currently holds the presidency of the G20.
– Human rights –
The visit is not really disturbed by the mobilization of some demonstrators who denounce the honors made to Mr. Modi, in the crosshairs of NGOs and the UN for his authoritarian policy.
Demonstration against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France, July 13, 2023 in Paris (AFP / Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT)
Narendra Modi “with his Hindu nationalist government, has continued to undermine human rights and democracy”, denounce the signatories of a column published last week by the communist newspaper l’Humanité.
A few dozen demonstrators, including two deputies from the radical left, denounced this visit. “No red carpet for an enemy of human rights” proclaimed a banner.
“We do not accept this invitation of honor made to Mr. Modi on the day when we celebrate freedoms”, launched the radical left deputy Arnaud Le Gall of La France insoumise.
The European Parliament, for its part, asked in a resolution, without binding scope, that human rights be integrated “into all areas” covered by the partnership between the EU and India.
© 2023 AFP
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