The traditional military parade on July 14, a national holiday in France, went smoothly on Friday in Paris in the presence of Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, guest of honor at the ceremonies organized this year in severe climatic conditions.
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AFP
For the evening, an extraordinary system of 45,000 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized across the country. Several cities have canceled their celebrations and the sale of firecrackers and firecrackers has been banned to prevent a new episode of violence.
In late June, a series of late-night urban riots set the country ablaze and caused extensive damage after a teenager was killed by a police officer during a traffic stop.
In Paris, celebrations of July 14, the date of the taking of the Bastille prison at the start of the French Revolution in 1789, began as every year with a military parade down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in the center of the capital.
AFP
Ahead of that parade, the Élysée announced that Emmanuel Macron presented Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest decoration, on Thursday evening to “recognize the Prime Minister’s role in the ‘excellent relationship of friendship and friendship’.” Trust that unites France and India.
This year Paris and New Delhi are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership, which aims to boost France to play a role in the Asia-Pacific zone despite NGOs accusing India of authoritarian tendencies.
The French left criticized this visit, which “honours a fascist autocrat”, according to Socialist leader Olivier Faure. La France insoumise (radical left) leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon condemned an agreement between two leaders “both marked by authoritarian violence”.
Since Mr Modi’s party came to power in 2014, India has “continued to make further regressions in its fight against poverty, against inequalities and on human rights and fundamental freedoms,” commented the environmentalists.
AFP
– 26 new Rafales –
Opening the parade, the French head of state cruised down the prestigious Avenue des Champs-Élysées in a military vehicle in front of a compact crowd, earning applause but also some boos.
- Hear the commentary from Nic Payne, Political Analyst QUB radio :
After a flyby of the nine Alphajets of the Patrouille de France, which colored the Paris sky blue, white and red, the parade was opened on foot by 240 members of the Indian armed forces, some wearing turbans.
AFP
A total of 6,500 participants gathered for the 2023 edition, 5,100 of them on foot. More than 60 aircraft, including foreign aircraft, 28 helicopters, 157 vehicles and 62 motorcycles marched, accompanied by 200 Republican Guard horses.
Six partner military schools in Africa (Benin, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Senegal) also held a parade with residents of French military schools.
To embody French military aid to Ukraine, Caesar guns and AMX10 RC armored vehicles as sold in Kiev were demonstrated for the eyes of Parisians.
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This demonstration was also expected to embody the increase in the army budget, while Parliament on Thursday finally approved a new Military Programming Law (LPM) worth 413 billion euros by 2030, a 40% increase compared to the previous LPM.
The parade ended at around 10am GMT with the interpretation of the national anthem “La Marseillaise”. Emmanuel Macron then spoke at length with the families of the military before inviting himself to a tour at the foot of the most famous avenue in the world.
AFP
The presence of the Indian Prime Minister in Paris will be an opportunity to discuss the terms of the purchase of 26 new Dassault Aviation Rafales in the naval version for the Indian aircraft carrier, as well as three submarines, an acquisition that New Delhi approved in 2011 as a matter of principle on Thursday.
The two countries also unveiled several cooperation agreements in the space field, including the establishment of a joint satellite surveillance system for maritime traffic and the start of construction of the Franco-Indian thermal infrared satellite TRISHNA.
MM Macron and Modi are to make a joint statement ahead of an interview scheduled for 15:05 GMT at the Élysée Palace and an official dinner at the Louvre.
AFP
The July 14 celebrations in Paris will conclude on Friday night with a concert and fireworks near the Eiffel Tower under close surveillance and around 10,000 police officers on duty.
However, the night from Thursday to Friday was “relatively quiet overall for July 13”, while the national holiday was often interrupted by incidents (burned cars, etc.), assured Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.