Bastille Day: Indian PM Narendra Modi’s crimson carpet remedy sparks controversy

Jul 14, 2023 at 2:41 PM
Bastille Day: Indian PM Narendra Modi’s crimson carpet remedy sparks controversy

French President Emmanuel Macron gave Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – his visitor of honour on the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris – the crimson carpet remedy, as the 2 international locations sealed high-profile defence offers.

The annual festivities – which mark the storming of the Bastille jail at the beginning of the French revolution in 1789 – kicked off with French and Indian troopers marching down the tree-lined Champs-Elysees, whereas French-made Rafale fighter jets India purchased in 2015 took half in a flypast over the Arc de Triomphe.

It comes after India deepened its defence ties with France, agreeing to 2 huge defence contracts – preliminary approval to purchase an additional 26 Rafale jets for its navy and three Scorpene class submarines.

Mr Modi arrived in France for a two-day go to on Thursday when he was granted the Legion of Honour, France’s highest award.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron attend the annual Bastille Day military parade, in Paris, France.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on the annual parade

Indian Navy and Air Force troops march during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France, July 14, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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Indian Navy and Air Force troops

French CNFSR unit members drive down the Champs-Elysees Avenue during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France, July 14, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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French CNFSR unit members drive down the Champs-Elysees

“(India) is a giant in the history of the world which will have a determining role in our future,” Mr Macron informed a gathering of army leaders. “It is also a strategic partner and a friend.”

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Mr Modi was additionally because of attend a lavish banquet on the Louvre Museum with the French president later – weeks after the Indian PM was given the uncommon honour of a White House state dinner in Washington after the US lifted a decade-old visa ban on him.

However, his two-day go to acquired beneath manner because the European Parliament criticised his human rights file amid accusations of discrimination towards minorities.

France's President Emmanuel Macron, first lady Brigitte Macron, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne attend the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France, July 14, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool
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Mr Macron with first girl Brigitte Macron, Mr Modi and France’s Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (far left) through the festivities

Servicemen of the Navy Infantry pose on the Champs-Elysees avenue in front of the Arc de Triomphe before the Bastille Day military parade Friday, July 14, 2023 in Paris, France. Aurelien Morissard/Pool via REUTERS
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Servicemen of the Navy Infantry

EU parliamentarians on Thursday authorized a movement urging India to finish violence within the northeastern Manipur state and to guard minorities there.

It criticised the “nationalistic rhetoric” of the native state authorities, run by Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mr Modi’s crimson carpet remedy on Bastille Day is “an affront not only to India’s minority communities, journalists and human rights defenders, but also to India as a democracy,” stated French MEP Pierre Larrouturou.

The French Ligue des Droits de l’Homme (LDH) rights group tweeted: “The LDH, concerned about India’s authoritarian turn, denounces this invitation which sends a disastrous signal, negating our democratic values.”

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Pioneers of the Foreign Legion regiment march during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France, July 14, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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Pioneers of the Foreign Legion regiment

A self-propelled Caesar howitzer drives down the Champs-Elysees Avenue during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France, July 14, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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A self-propelled Caesar howitzer

Indian's Army Punjab Regiment marches during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, France, July 14, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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Indian’s Army Punjab Regiment participate

In 2017, Mr Macron invited the then US President Donald Trump to the Bastille Day army parade.

This yr’s celebrations are taking place under tight security, two weeks after riots erupted throughout the nation following the fatal police shooting of a teenager in Paris.

More than 100,000 law enforcement officials have been deployed across the nation to stop a brand new outbreak of unrest.

Mr Macron was criticised over his handling of the crisis, and confronted a backlash after attending an Elton John gig because the dysfunction took maintain.