Laura Laplaud with AFP
modified to
06:43, July 14, 2023
The guest of honor of the July 14 national holiday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived this Thursday in Paris for two days. An opportunity for Emmanuel Macron to consolidate strategic ties with this major international player, but is accused by NGOs of authoritarian drift.
India was the guest of honor at this year’s July 14 parade. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will arrive at midday this Thursday in Paris for two days. He will first meet head of government Élisabeth Borne and Senate president Gérard Larcher, then address the Indian community in France. In the evening, he will have a private dinner with Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.
On Friday, he will be the guest of honor at the military parade, which will be attended by a strong Indian contingent, including three Rafales. His visit will end with a formal dinner on Friday evening with Emmanuel Macron and more than 200 guests at the prestigious Louvre museum. But why is the red carpet being rolled out in India this year?
Purchase of 26 Rafales
Paris and New Delhi have been linked for 25 years through a solid strategic partnership, which is particularly evident in the area of arms. The visit could lead to the Navy’s purchase of 26 new versions of the Rafale for India’s aircraft carriers and submarines.
The two countries also have similar views on international relations issues. Paris wants to be a balancing force, increase dialogue channels and wants to be a bridge between the Western bloc and the rest of the world. “We have the same desire for strategic autonomy. Both our countries are deeply committed to international law and we want the world to be multipolar,” Narendra Modi said in an interview with the newspaper. The echoasserted that India views France as “one of its key global partners”.
According to Indian Foreign Minister Vinay Kwarta’s announcement, “security cooperation, space, civil nuclear power, technology, counter-terrorism, cyber security, climate change, renewable energy… will be the main menu of discussions between the two leaders”.
India, an important interlocutor in the Indo-Pacific region
At the same time, as a demographic powerhouse, an economic giant, and the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and nuclear power, India is also a heavyweight, which is increasingly being targeted. A few weeks ago, Narendra Modi received the rare honor of a state visit to Washington. “India has seen its influence increase significantly in recent years,” said researcher Fawa Aamer of ASPI, who recalled that she currently serves as president of the G20. If France has managed to forge a special bond with them, it is also because it “rarely comments on India’s internal affairs”, according to Constantino Xavier, of the CSEP think tank. “This is appreciated in India.”
For Emmanuel Macron, India is also an important partner in the Indo-Pacific zone, which includes the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where international tensions between Beijing and Washington are rising, and where France has overseas interests and territories. This country is also one of the countries at the forefront of facing China’s rise.
India as seen by NGOs
But for NGOs, the lavish welcome given to Narendra Modi raises questions regarding human rights. The Indian government has been targeted by several NGOs and international agencies. “Narendra Modi (…) with his Hindu nationalist government, continues to undermine human rights and democracy,” denounced the signatories of the column published last week by the communist newspaper. Humanitycalled for a demonstration Thursday afternoon in Paris.
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