France welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi because the visitor of honor for the standard National Day navy parade on Friday, regardless of rising human rights considerations in opposition to the present New Delhi authorities.
“A giant in world history, with a decisive role to play in the future, a strategic partner, a friend. We are proud to welcome India as our guest of honor at the July 14 parade,” French President Macron tweeted.
Some 240 Indian troopers and three Indian fighter jets participated within the parade, with Modi’s go to marking the 25-year strategic partnership between the 2 international locations.
After the reception for Modi on the Elysee Palace, deliberate talks within the afternoon have been to handle deepening strategic cooperation, within the face of China’s rising energy. India was additionally anticipated to verify the acquisition of 26 French Rafale fighter jets and three submarines.
“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,” French Navy Chief of Staff Pierre Vandier mentioned.
The navy parade on the Champs-Elysée in Paris and within the skies concerned 6,500 members of the armed and safety forces, plus 157 navy autos, 66 plane and 28 helicopters, 200 horses and 86 canines.
Hindu nationalism
Amid the diplomatic courting of Modi, a decision from the European Parliament on Thursday served as a reminder that he and his Hindu nationalist agenda have garnered critics at dwelling and overseas.
EU parliamentarians authorized a movement urging India to finish violence in northeastern Manipur state and shield minorities there.
Clashes between the bulk Meitei, who’re principally Hindus, and the primarily Christian Kuki tribe have left at the least 120 individuals useless, 50,000 displaced and greater than 1,700 homes destroyed, the parliament mentioned.
It criticized the “nationalistic rhetoric” of the native state authorities, run by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Honouring Modi at Bastille Day was “an affront not only to India’s minority communities, journalists and human rights defenders but also to India as a democracy”, the textual content’s chief negotiator, Pierre Larrouturou, mentioned afterward.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
