In New Delhi: An Indian tri-services group traveled for Paris on Thursday in preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to France. They will take part in the Bastille Day Parade the following week.
The Indian military forces will march alongside their French counterparts on the Champs-Elysées in Paris on July 14 with a 269-member tri-services delegation. The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Rafale fighter jets will take part in the flypast during the parade.
As the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade, PM Modi has been invited.
Bastille Day marks the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution.

India and France are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership this year. The armies of the two countries have been participating in joint exercises and sharing their experiences.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India’s defence imports from France went up over the years. Thirty percent of India’s defence imports were from France between 2018 and 2022, the SIPRI report said.

Representation of Indian forces

The Indian Army contingent comprising 77 marching personnel and 38 members of the band is led by Captain Aman Jagtap. Commander Vrat Baghel and Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy are heading the navy and air force contingents.

The Army contingent is represented by the Punjab Regiment, which is one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army. The troops participated in both the World Wars as well as the post-Independence operations.

The Rajputana Rifles Regiment Band has accompanied the contingent. The regiment, the senior most rifle regiment of the Indian Army, has taken part in some of the bloodiest battles — including those in the two World Wars — ever fought.

During World War-II, the battalions of the regiment fought in every theatre where the Indian Army was involved. They are the recipients of six Victoria Cross prior to Independence. The band of the Regiment was raised in 1920 at Nasirabad (Rajasthan).

Military ties that go back years

The association between the Indian and the French armies dates back to World War-I. Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated in the war and almost 74,000 of them fought in the muddy trenches to never return again, while another 67,000 were wounded.

“Indian soldiers bravely battled on French territory. Their bravery, heroism, and heroic sacrifice not only stopped the enemy but also made a key contribution to winning the war, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). 2.5 million Indian soldiers served in World War II, making a huge impact in theatres across Asia, Africa, and Europe. The French battlefields were also featured in this. The MoD said, “Several gallantry awards were given to the Indian soldiers in recognition of their valour, which was well established during these wars.”