The partnership between India and France is “vital” for peace in the “Indo-Pacific”, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said before Thursday’s visit to France, “one of our key global partners”.

“France and India are two major riparian powers in the Indian Ocean. Therefore, our partnership is crucial for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an interview with Daily Economic The echo.

The Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive this Thursday at noon in Paris for a two-day official visit. He will be the guest of honor on the July 14 national holiday before a formal dinner Friday evening with French President Emmanuel Macron and more than 200 guests at the prestigious Louvre museum.

Arms contract

For this occasion, 240 Indian soldiers will parade on the Champs Elysées, and three Rafales from the Indian Air Force will participate in an aerial parade right behind the Patrouille de France.

The arms contracts, of course 26 Rafale Marine aircraft and three Scorpene submarines, should be announced tomorrow. The Indian Ministry of Defense has in principle given the green light for the purchase of Dassault Aviation fighter aircraft. The ministry also gave initial approval for the construction of three Scorpene class submarines by MDL India and French Naval Group.

But this presence and place of honor also rests on “a point of remembrance.”

“India participated directly in the First World War: about 1.3 million Indian soldiers were involved in various actions, 74,000 people lost their lives during the conflict. We remember this commitment, we have not forgotten it, and this is the reason why India took part in the First World War. invited in 2009 and again invited as guest of honor on July 14″, recalls Elysée.

25 years of strategic partnership

But also, the two nuclear powers have been linked through a 25-year strategic partnership, “the first Western country to sign a strategic partnership with us”, stressed the Indian Prime Minister. This includes defense, but also space, energy, cyber security and the fight against terrorism.

“Our relationship with France is one of mutual trust, solid and coherent. The level of mutual trust is unparalleled,” he added. “We share the same desire for strategic autonomy. Both of our countries are deeply committed to international law and we want the world to be multipolar.”

“I think President Macron’s views are completely in line with ours and therefore we are naturally suited to work together,” he said, adding that “we see France as one of our main global partners.”