Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the guest of honor on National Day on July 14 in Paris. Six months later, he would return the favor to French President Emmanuel Macron, in a sign of the vitality of the partnership between the two countries.

In a mirror image of the parade on the Champs-Elysées, opened by 240 Indian troops, the French contingent will shine on Friday in a major military parade for Indian Constitution Day 75th edition (“Republic Day”) in New Delhi.

President Macron will be the guest of honor in the official gallery, as will Narendra Modi at the Place de la Concorde.

A day earlier, the Prime Minister will welcome his guests grandly in Jaipur, the regional capital of Rajasthan state, 200 kilometers south of New Delhi, famous for its palaces and elephants.

“It's about a a very important sign of trust from India to France, as a follow-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on July 14″welcome Elysee.

If Emmanuel Macron's last three predecessors deserve the same honor, the invitation has special resonance given India's growing strategic weight and France's ambitions in the region.

A “key partner”

Both are the largest demographic forces in the world (1.43 billion people), economic giant and nuclear powerIndia is an important and increasingly sought-after heavyweight.

China is at the forefront of confronting China, the United States' number one rival, which also has a complicated relationship with the US.

In contrast, New Delhi is a fan of “multi-alignment”. good relations with Russiarefused to sanction their invasion of Ukraine and even bought oil that was boycotted by European countries.

France under the leadership of the Head of State also wants to become a player in the Asia-Pacific zone and wants to be a balancing force, a bridge between North and South.

“India, in the current context, is a key partner in contributing to international peace and security,” underlines the French presidency. The Head of State has attended there twice, namely in 2018 and at the G20 Summit in September 2023.

The two leaders will discuss Ukraine, the Middle East and China as well as bilateral defense cooperation, according to Indian diplomatic sources.

Both nuclear powers have long developed defense linkdescribed as India's intention to acquire 26 additional Rafale units, in addition to the 36 already ordered.

Negotiations continue regarding the sale of 26 fighter aircraft destined for the Navy, as well as three Scorpene submarines. Therefore, no announcements should be made during the visit.

Respect and taboo

The French President will be accompanied by the astronaut Thomas PesquetThe two countries share a number of programs in the space sector, especially satellites.

France also aims to do this sold six EPR reactors to India for the Jaitapur power plant, in Maharashtra state, a project that has been in the pipeline for 15 years. A framework agreement could be reached during the visit, according to Indian sources.

For human rights defenders, the problem lies elsewhere, while many NGOs and the UN accuse Narendra Modi of the same thing. authoritarian deviation and oppression of religious minorities.

A symbol of Hindu nationalism, the Prime Minister inaugurated a temple on Monday in Ayodhya (north) on a site formerly occupied by a mosque.

Sikh groups, accusing India of targeting their independence activists, called on Emmanuel Macron to stop taking part in Republic Day celebrations and questioned Narendra Modi on the issue.

The French President will show it “solidarity” with the American and Canadian governments having accused India of responsibility in this matter attacks on Sikhs abroadunderlines Dabinderjit Singh, activist in London.

“Nothing is taboo but the aim is to discuss it respectfully and with the aim of achieving real results”, answered the presidential advisor first.