India's Tri-services Contingent to Participate in Bastille Day Celebrations
News 18A military contingent comprising all three services will participate in the Bastille Day celebrations in France on July 14 where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the guest of honour. Stressing the significance of the Indian prime minister’s pride of place in the event, they said it is not common for foreign leaders to be invited as a guest of honour on Bastille Day and the last time it was done was in 2017 when the then US President was invited. The sources said Modi’s itinerary also underscores his warm personal chemistry with French President Emmanuel Macron as the French leader will have multiple meetings with the prime minister, including a private dinner and joint meeting with CEOs besides the state banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum on the Bastille Day. Modi will interact with the entire political leadership of France, including the French prime minister, the presidents of the senate and the national assembly, they said, adding that a key focus of his visit will be trade and economy with a CEO forum to be held comprising leading names from the two countries.