Along with France, the UAE will also host a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week. From July 13–15, 2023, he will make an official visit to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On July 14, he will be the honourable guest at the Bastille Day celebrations. An Indian contingent from all three services, including IAF aircraft, will take part.
This will be his fifth visit to the UAE since 2015 which has a strong partnership with India across sectors and is a key state in India’s extended neighbourhood.
Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15. The prime minister will hold talks with H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and Prime Minister’s visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture. It will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of UAE’s Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and India’s G-20 Presidency in which UAE is a Special Invitee.
French National Day, or Bastille Day, occupies a special place in French consciousness. This day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789 during the French Revolution. Bastille Day Parade is the highlight of the Bastille Day Celebrations. Akin to our Republic Day Parade. However, foreign leaders being invited as Guests of Honour for Bastille Day is not common (the last time was in 2017 when US President was invited). Even rarer is having foreign marching contingents and foreign aircraft participate in it.
Modi’s visit on Bastille Day coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India –France Strategic Partnership. France is a key strategic partner for India and one of the earliest. Special gestures by French President Emmanuel Macron. These include multiple meetings and presence with PM, particularly a private dinner and joint meeting with CEOs. Also, hosting the State Banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum on Bastille Day.
There will be interaction with the entire political leadership of France, including President Macron, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and the Presidents of the Senate (Upper House) and National Assembly (Lower House). A strong focus will be given on trade and economy with a CEO Forum comprising big names from the Indian and French sides.
The Indian community will likely interact with the famed La Seine Musicale. There have been many events leading up to the PM’s visit, such as Namaste France earlier this week. From the discussions, ambitious results are anticipated in the areas of defence, space, geostrategic planning, infrastructure, energy, climate action, museology, student mobility, interpersonal relations, sports, and culture.

(This story has not been edited by Bharat Express staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)