- Indian armed forces to participate alongside French troops at French National Day military parade on Champs-Elysées
New Delhi. 05 May 2023. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has accepted the invitation of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to be the Guest of Honour at France’s National Day celebrations on 14th July 2023.
Also called Bastille Day, 14th July is France’s National Day. It is a day on which the French people celebrate the values of “liberty, equality, fraternity”. The celebrations are marked by a military parade on Paris’ most iconic avenue, the Champs-Elysées.
This is the second time that a prime minister of India will be the Guest of Honour for 14th July, after Dr Manmohan Singh in 2009. Prime Minister Modi’s visit this year bears special significance since France and India are celebrating the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership, launched in 1998.
A contingent of troops from the Indian armed forces will march down the Champs-Elysées with French troops, reflecting the solidarity, trust, and exceptionally close ties between our two countries.
Indeed, this visit will provide a historic opportunity to celebrate our joint achievements of the last 25 years, and set our common ambitions for the next 25 years in all areas. France and India are committed to further strengthening our partnership, to contribute to peace and security, especially in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, make our nations stronger, and advance common initiatives to face the main challenges of our time.
On the occasion of this announcement, the Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Emmanuel Lenain, said: “France is getting ready to welcome Prime Minister Modi as Guest of Honour for our National Day. It will be a historic moment for Indo-French ties. The message is clear: we are proud of what we have achieved together, and we are ready to commit long-term with India.”
Since 1880, 14th July has been marked as France’s National Day. Its significance dates back to the French Revolution of 1789: the storming of the Bastille on 14th July 1789, and the Fête de la Fédération celebrating the unity of the French people on 14th July, 1790. The high point of the celebrations is the military parade on avenue des Champs-Elysées and the flypast in the skies of Paris.
France does not systematically invite heads of State or government as chief guest at the Bastille Day parade. Such invitations are extended on few occasions
