PM Modi's France visit to shape EU-India strategic ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France is likely to boost economic cooperation between India and France and shape broader strategic ties between European Union and India, Media India Group reported.

The report notes that his visit, over this weekend, holds special significance as the two nations are celebrating 25 years of their strategic partnership.PM Modi be in Paris to attend the Bastille Day Parade as the Guest of Honour at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. He will be the second Indian PM after Manmohan Singh in 2009 to be the Guest of Honour at Bastille Day Parade, the report said.

PM Modi's visit presents an opportunity for the two nations to move into the next phase in the India-France strategic partnership and set new ambitious goals for cultural, scientific, academic, economic cooperation and wide range of interests, Sunil Prasad, Secretary General of Brussels based Europe India Chamber of Commerce wrote in the Media India Group report. So far, India has signed more than 35 strategic partnerships agreement with countries and India signed the first-ever strategic partnership with France in January 1998.

In the past 25 years, through numerous bilateral meetings, a strong institutional mechanism has been established to strengthen cooperation between India and France in the space, defence, civil nuclear, renewables, cyberspace, digital technology, counter terrorism and the blue economy sectors, the report noted.

As the Indian Army contingent is set to participate in Bastille Day celebrations, the preparations and rehearsals are currently on in full swing. During the preparations of the Indian Army contingent at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff of France, Gen Thierry Burkhard and Military Governor of Paris, Lt Gen Christophe Abad, took the salute from the Indian contingent.

Over the weekend, the Indian Tri services contingent held practice sessions in France for the Bastille Day parade, the Indian Defence officials said.

(ANI)