France hails India's peacekeeping efforts

New Delhi, Jul 15 (UNI) India was the flavour at this year's French National Day.

French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont paid rich tributes to India's peacekeeping efforts worldwide as French nationals here celebrated the Bastille Day yesterday.

''This should be the year of peace,'' Mr Bonnafont said, adding: ''We cannot forget the significant contributions made by India to world peace by sending peacekeeping forces.'' After a short speach, he called for the playing of the national anthems of India and France and the anthem of the European Union.

France currently holds the presidency of the European Union.

''Since we are on Indian soil, the country's national anthem should be played first,'' he declared, setting off celebrations at the French Embassy in the presence of ambassadors and high commissioners of various countries.

Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on July 14, 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution and subsequent birth of the French Republic.

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