PM Modi’s visit to France on July 13 and 14 revolves around discussions between both sides for Rafale-M fighters, Scorpene submarines, and 5th Gen engines for AMCA aircraft.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on his two-day visit to France starting July 13, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra highlighted the “strong guidance” provided by the “common vision” of PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, as the India-France strategic partnership celebrates its 25th anniversary.
During his time in Paris, Prime Minister Modi has a busy schedule that involves engaging with the French President, as well as other prominent figures in the French government and business community. The pinnacle of his visit will be his participation as the chief guest at the Bastille Day military parade.
Highlighting the enduring strategic partnership between India and France, Foreign Secretary Mr. Kwatra emphasized the convergence of strategic interests on various fronts. This year, the two countries commemorate the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Mr. Kwatra outlined the key pillars of this partnership, which will be assessed during the bilateral talks between the two leaders, providing a broader strategic context.
Schedule of PM Modi’s Paris visit
Interpreted as a significant move towards strengthening military collaboration, Prime Minister’s visit to France is seen as a step closer to India’s acquisition of 26 new Rafale-M fighter jets, aligning with its maritime defense strategies. Prior to the visit, the Defence Procurement Board gave its approval to the Rafale-M proposal, and the Defence Acquisition Council, the highest authority on defense procurement within the Defence Ministry, is scheduled to review it during a meeting on Thursday.
Upon reaching Paris on Thursday around mid-day, Prime Minister Modi will commence his engagements with a meeting with French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne. Subsequently, he will hold a meeting with Gérard Larcher, the President of the French Senate. Later in the evening, PM Modi will participate in an interaction with members of the Indian community, followed by a private dinner hosted by President Macron at the Elysee Palace.
Since their initial meeting in June 2017, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron have maintained a close relationship. In recent times, both leaders have engaged in discussions regarding the Ukraine crisis, which is anticipated to shape the context of the interactions between their respective delegations. The visit to Paris occurs merely months after their encounter on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Hiroshima on May 20, further highlighting their ongoing engagement.
On July 14, Prime Minister Modi has a meeting scheduled with Yaël Braun-Pivet, the President of the French National Assembly. Mr. Kwatra expressed his belief that the visit of the Prime Minister to France will not only be significant in terms of content but also in terms of its overall impact, setting new standards for the future of their strategic partnerships.
After his visit to Paris, Prime Minister Modi is set to travel to the United Arab Emirates on July 15. There, he is scheduled to meet President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, followed by a ceremonial welcome and bilateral discussions. The UAE and India solidified their partnership through a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in February 2022, bringing a fresh perspective to their close relationship.
