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India, France Adopt Roadmap For Defence Industrial Partnership

A letter of intent was also signed between India’s Defence Ministry and France’s Ministry for Armed Forces on the Defence Space Partnership.

India and France have adopted a Roadmap for Defence Industrial Partnership during French President Emmanuel Macron’s State visit for the Republic Day celebrations.

A letter of intent was also signed between India’s Defence Ministry and France’s Ministry for Armed Forces on the Defence Space Partnership.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in civil aviation between TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus to set up an assembly line for H125 helicopters in India.

Another MoU was signed in the space sector between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and France’s Arianespace S.A.S.

A framework cooperation agreement was signed between Indian government’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and France’s Institut national de recherche pour L’Agriculture, L’Alimentation Et L’Environnement (INRAE).

A declaration of intent was issued between India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and France’s Ministry of Labour, Health and Solidarity on Cooperation in the Field of Health and Medicine.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron have reaffirmed their vision that the India-France Strategic Partnership can help build prosperity and resilience in their economies, advance their countries’ security, and create a more sustainable and healthier future for the planet.

The partnership can help seek solutions for global challenges, reinvigorate multilateralism and help build a stable international order and a more cohesive and united world, as per the India-France Joint Statement following French President Emmanuel Macron’s State visit to the country for the Republic Day celebrations.

Prime Minister Modi and President Macron reaffirmed their shared vision for bilateral cooperation and international partnership, outlined in Horizon 2047 and other documents from the July 2023 Summit.

They commended the progress in bilateral cooperation and committed to accelerating it further across the three broad pillars of bilateral cooperation – Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, Partnership for Planet and Partnership for People – to further reinforce their shared commitment to sovereignty and strategic autonomy, as per the joint statement.

They held extensive discussions on the long-term global challenges and current international developments, and drawing from their converging interests and approaches, agreed to intensify their global and regional engagement, including through multilateral initiatives and institutions. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Macron’s Visit Gives New Wing to India-France ties

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Modi, Macron hold roadshow, visit heritage sites in Jaipur

Macron, who will attend the Republic Day Parade in Delhi on Friday as the chief guest, reached Jaipur directly from Paris.

Jaipur on Thursday welcomed two powerful world leaders in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited different historical sites in the Pink City, besides holding bilateral talks and taking part in a roadshow.

Macron, who will attend the Republic Day Parade in Delhi on Friday as the chief guest, reached Jaipur directly from Paris.

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma welcomed the French President Emmanuel opon his arrival in Jaipur by presenting him a bouquet.

A while later, Prime Minister Modi also reached Jaipur and was welcomed by the Governor and the Chief Minister at the airport, who presented him a bouquet.

Later, Modi received Macron at the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, where they also held a roadshow.

Both of them also visited the famed Hawa Mahal after which bilateral discussions were held between the two countries at the Rambagh Hotel, where the two leaders had dinner before leaving for Delhi.

During his visit, Modi also bought a replica of Ram Temple for Rs 500 by making UPI payment, and gifted it President Macron.

During his visit to Hawa Mahal, Macron asked two questions — How many windows are there in Hawa Mahal? Why is the colour of the glass in it blue?

At the Amer, Macron was accompanied by Union Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari.

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Indian contingent adds spectacle to Bastille Day Parade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron on the Champs-Élysées.

“To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade,” the PMO said in a statement.

The Indian Army contingent was led by the Punjab Regiment, along with the Rajputana Rifles Regiment.

During the parade, the Indian military contingent marched to the patriotic tune of ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha,’ while a squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at the Bastille Day Parade.

Rafale Jets of the Indian Air Force, from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara, formed a part of the fly past during the parade.

“A giant in world history, with a decisive role to play in the future, a strategic partner, a friend. We are proud to welcome India as our guest of honour at the 14 July parade,” President Macron said.

PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron met notable dignitaries during the Bastille Day Parade in Paris.

Mentioning the marching of Indian soldiers and flying of Rafale aircraft alongside the French troops during the Bastille Day Parade celebrations, Macron said that France honours the memory of those who fought with the French in the First World War.

“This 14 July, soldiers and Rafale aircraft from India are marching and flying alongside our troops. We honour the memory of those who fought with the French in the First World War. We shall never forget,” tweeted Macron.

It is worth mentioning that the association of the Indian and the French Armies dates back to World War I. Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated in the war and almost 74,000 of them fought in the muddy trenches to never return again, while another 67,000 were wounded. Indian troops valiantly fought on French soil also, the Defence Ministry said earlier.

Many Indians like Welinkar, Shivdev Singh, HC Dewan and Jumbo Majumdar fought over the skies of France during the two World Wars. Some, like Jumbo Majumdar, were also decorated for their gallant action, over the Falaise Gap, during the terminal phase of World War II, added the official statement.

The Bastille Day Parade, which PM Modi attended as the Guest of Honour with Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, has concluded in Paris.

French President Emmanuel Macron received the guard of honour at Bastille Day Parade.

July 14 marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, during the French Revolution, which symbolizes the democratic values of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’, the central theme of both the Indian and French constitutions.

PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the Indian tri-services contingent flew over the Bastille Day Parade in Paris, showcasing the French national flag.

They also saw French and Indian soldiers march along Paris’s tree-lined Champs-Elysees avenue, as Rafale fighter planes purchased by India in 2015 flew above the Arc de Triomphe.

“It reminds us of the valour & courage of the Indian soldiers on the French soil during the World Wars,” the Indian Army tweeted.

IAF’s Rafale jets flypast was showcased during the parade. Later, PM Modi attended the lunch hosted by the President of French National Assembly, Yael Braun-Pivet.

PM Narendra Modi has become the first Indian Prime Minister to have been conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian and military honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron.

PM Modi has joined the ranks of other prominent world leaders including former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, King Charles – the then Prince of Wales, former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary General of the United Nations, among others.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India and France cooperate and coordinate much more closely in international forums, as the two nations together launched the International Solar Alliance, and are working together on initiatives on biodiversity, elimination of single use plastic, disaster resilient infrastructure and conserving ocean resources.

“Our cooperation has become especially strong in the United Nations, whether it is in reforming the UN institutions, fighting climate change or combating terrorism. Most recently, we worked closely on President Macron’s New Global Financing Pact Summit. We are both leaders in the initiative on No Money for Terror Financing,” he said.

India gave an initial nod to buy 26 Rafale aircraft for its navy and three Scorpene class submarines, strengthening defence ties with Paris.

France has been India’s one of closest partners in Europe for decades. President Macron will also host PM Modi at the Elysee Palace for dialogue prior to a state banquet at the Louvre Museum.

It is noteworthy that Macron has treated only a few global leaders to the Bastille Day military parade. (ANI)

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Punjab Regiment’s Parisian March After a Century

The soldiers from the Punjab Regiment are poised to embark on a momentous march in Paris, marking a historic moment after 107 years. This extraordinary occasion, reminiscent of the past, highlights the enduring ties between India and France.

The absence of Indian soldiers in the 2017 Hollywood film “Dunkirk” caused disappointment among Indians, particularly those with an interest in military history, Khalsa Vox reported.

The film, based on the Battle of France and the evacuation of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk during World War II, failed to acknowledge the role of Indian soldiers from the British Indian Army in both World Wars.

Despite the oversight by Western media, an iconic black-and-white photograph emerged during the release of “Dunkirk,” capturing a French woman pinning a flower on a Sikh (Indian) soldier.

This image, dating back to the First World War, symbolizes the contribution of Indian soldiers, possibly from the Sikh Regiment, in saving France from German occupation in 1916.

Now, more than a century later, history comes full circle as soldiers from the Punjab Regiment, now part of the Indian Army, prepare to embark on a journey to France. They will participate in the Bastille Day parade in Paris, scheduled to take place on July 14.

This year’s parade holds even greater significance as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as the Guest of Honour on the French National Day.

“The Bastille Day parade will feature a 269-member tri-services contingent from the Indian Armed Forces marching alongside their French counterparts,” said Colonel Sudhir Chamoli, spokesperson for the Indian Army.

The visit serves as a testament to the enduring bond between the Indian and French armies, dating back to World War I.

During the First World War, over 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated, with nearly 74,000 losing their lives and 67,000 sustaining injuries.

Notably, Indian troops demonstrated their bravery and made significant contributions to the war effort on French soil. Their valor and sacrifices played a crucial role in securing victory against the enemy.

The Punjab Regiment has participated in both World Wars and various post-independence operations. In World War I, the Punjab Regiment received 18 Battle and Theatre Honours, fighting in locations such as Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Palestine, Egypt, China, Hongkong, Damascus, and France.

Their involvement in France included an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in September 1915, earning them the Battle Honours “Loos” and “France and Flanders”, Khalsa Vox reported.

During World War II, a staggering 2.5 million Indian soldiers made notable contributions in various theatres of the war, including France. The Punjab Regiment, among others, earned 16 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours, solidifying their reputation as valiant fighters.

Accompanying the Indian contingent is the Rajputana Rifles Regiment Band, representing the seniormost rifle regiment of the Indian Army. The Rajput Regiment has a long and illustrious history, having participated in numerous battles across the world.

Their contributions during World War II were particularly notable, and they were awarded six Victoria Crosses prior to India’s independence. The regiment’s band was established in 1920 in Nasirabad, Rajasthan, during the British era, Khalsa Vox reported.

As history’s wheel takes another momentous turn, the resolute soldiers of India take immense pride in marching through the vibrant streets of Paris. Their footsteps echo a legacy of unwavering bravery, indomitable valor, and the spirit of sacrifice shared between nations.

With their distinguished presence in the illustrious Bastille Day parade, the esteemed Punjab Regiment becomes an emblematic symbol of the enduring friendship etched between India and France.

This remarkable display not only pays homage to their intertwined military history but also reinforces the profound bond that binds these nations together.

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France proposes fresh counter-terrorism drive with India

It wasn’t the first time that Paris was underscoring the importance of the mutual trust between France and India…writes Ateet Sharma

India and one of its most trusted strategic partners, France have agreed to intensify counter-terrorism partnership as both countries work on expanding bilateral-regional cooperation, dealing with new threats, support India’s defence industrialisation and self-reliance.

In their meeting in New Delhi on Monday, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval shared close assessments of major global and regional security issues and held a detailed discussion on close India-France cooperation in combating terrorism.

Lecornu continued from where Catherine Colonna – his colleague and Foreign Minister in the government led by Emmanuel Macron – left during her visit to the Indian capital in September.

Colonna, who chose India as her first bilateral visit to Asia since assuming office in May, had also called on NSA Doval, stressing France’s continued commitment to the Indo-Pacific region as a resident power and partnership with India as a major pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy.

The minister not only supported India’s stance that terrorism is one of the most serious challenges to global peace and security but also reaffirmed France’s allegiance to persisting as India’s foremost partner in its path towards strategic autonomy.

It wasn’t the first time that Paris was underscoring the importance of the mutual trust between France and India.

Indo-French partnership and both countries working together to strengthen multilateralism and defend a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law were also discussed extensively when NSA Doval chaired the annual Indo-French strategic dialogue in the French capital, last year.



In New Delhi on Monday after visiting India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi the day before, Lecornu also held the 4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on a wide range of bilateral, regional, defence and defence industrial cooperation issues.

“During the dialogue, one of the key areas of discussion was defence industrial cooperation with a focus on ‘Make in India’. Future collaborations and potential co-production opportunities were discussed. The Ministers agreed that the technical groups from both countries should meet early next year and take the key cooperation issues forward,” said Defence Ministry said in a statement after the meeting.

The two ministers also reviewed the ongoing military-to-military cooperation which has increased substantially in recent years.

“France is an old, faithful and reliable partner of India. Our cooperation is rich and multiple. This 4th defence dialogue between our two countries, which I chaired with Rajnath Singh, showed the convergence of our responses to common challenges in the Indo-Pacific,” tweeted Lecornu.

The French Defence Minister, in his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, conveyed France’s full support for India’s Presidency of the G20, which is beginning on December 1. Both ministers also discussed global issues of common concern and deepening the India-France strategic partnership as it nears its 25th anniversary in 2023.

The deepening of cooperation between the two countries comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron met on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit held in Bali, earlier this month.

As they discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, the two leaders also reviewed ongoing collaboration in diverse areas like defence, civil nuclear, trade and investment.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

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‘Bonjour India’ is back

The event will showcase in 19 Indian cities a program of 120 events created in collaboration with French and Indian partners…reports Asian Lite News

The fourth edition of ‘Bonjour India 2022’ has been announced by the French embassy in India. The event celebrates 75 years of India’s Independence and 75 years of the establishment of Indo-French diplomatic relations.

Besides projects narrating the shared history of the two countries, through photography, science and letters, it also aims to be an opportunity to build communities, foster social interaction and create opportunities for diversity, joy and amity after a long time since pandemic overtook the world.

The event will showcase in 19 Indian cities a program of 120 events created in collaboration with French and Indian partners, in domains including education, science, literature, cinema, gastronomy, street art, performing arts and photography.

Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said, “Bonjour India is a gift from France to the people of India when the country celebrates the 75th anniversary of its independence. India and France have enjoyed a close cultural partnership for decades, thanks in particular to the network of 14 Alliances Francaises throughout India. During this festival, we will honor the past exchanges and create new collaborations.”

He added, “We believe that our two nations can grow closer by appreciating cultures and co-creating art, amalgamating views from both the countries. I look forward to coming together with the most creative people from our countries, resulting in greater creativity and enrichment. I believe that the free exchange of ideas between our two countries will plant the seeds of new thoughts that will help tackle the challenges that lie ahead.”

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