The guest of honor at the military parade was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 240 Indian army personnel and three Indian warplanes also took part in the parade. Modi’s visit was aimed at honoring the 25-year strategic partnership between the two countries.
6,500 representatives of the armed forces and security forces took part in the military parade on the Champs-Elysées in Paris and above the capital, in addition to 157 military vehicles, 66 planes and 28 helicopters, 200 horses and 86 dogs. July 14 commemorates the French Revolution, specifically the storming of the Bastille in Paris on July 14, 1789.
APA/AFP/Emmanuel Dunand Thousands of soldiers take part in the parade in Paris
The motto of this year’s French national holiday was “strategic solidarity” with partner countries. Thus, soldiers from around 15 countries were involved, including Benin, Senegal, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire and Madagascar. Several weapon systems supplied by France to Ukraine were also demonstrated, such as Caesar-type artillery systems, AMX10-RC armored vehicles and the SAMP/T air defense system.
French fighters for India
Modi was received at the Élysée Palace. Intensifying strategic cooperation was also on the agenda – among other things in view of an increasingly stronger China. India buys 26 Rafale fighter jets and three submarines from France.
Portal French President Macron receives Indian Prime Minister
“After 25 years of partnership, this is a major step forward that will strengthen interoperability between our navies in the service of Indian Ocean stability,” said French Navy Chief of Staff Pierre Vandier. The day before, the French parliament had approved a 40% increase in the defense budget for 2024 to 2030.
national holiday in france
France’s national holiday on July 14 is overshadowed by widespread fears of further riots and looting. Following the recent escalation of violence after police killed a 17-year-old, it is feared that protests could flare up again.
Modi was awarded the Grand Cross of the French Legion of Honor in Paris. Opposition Greens criticized Modi’s invitation and denounced setbacks in Indian democracy. Since Modi came to power in 2014, the country has “neglected the fight against poverty and injustice, especially with regard to human rights and fundamental freedoms”, he said.
Fear of new riots
After the recent unrest in France, new riots were feared on the national holiday. However, they were absent on the night of July 14, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. There was less property damage than in 2022.
Still, the ministry reported 97 arrests and 218 cars burned across the country, Le Parisien newspaper reported. In Mont-Saint-Martin, on the border with Luxembourg and Belgium, demonstrators set fire to a primary school.
strong police force
45,000 officers were deployed across France on Thursday night to prevent unrest from escalating. The ban on pyrotechnics was issued on the eve of the National Day celebrations. Many communities give up the traditional fireworks display on July 14th.
APA/AFP/Richard Bouhet There were virtually no disturbances the night before the national holiday
After a policeman killed a young man during a traffic check near Paris two weeks ago, there was serious unrest in France for days. Authorities were attacked with fireworks and public buildings such as police stations and schools were set on fire. Thousands of burned cars. The unrest subsided, but new riots were feared for the national holiday.