PM Modi, Macron Share Warm Hug, Witness Bastille Day Parade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour with an Indian tri-services marching contingent wowing crowds here during the French National Day celebrations.

Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also joined the flypast on the occasion along with French jets.

#WATCH | Bastille Day parade underway at the Champs Elysées in Paris, France.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is witnessing the parade as the Guest of Honour. pic.twitter.com/pEoeAJjMdt

— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2023

Marching to the tune of 'saare jahan se achcha', the 269-member Indian tri-services contingent participated in the parade and joined the flypast.

#Watch | Indian tri-service contingent marches to the tune of "Saare Jahan Se Accha Hindostan Hamara" at the #BastilleDayParade in Paris, France pic.twitter.com/WAvFMPhnv4

— Kushagra Tiwari (@Kushagra_sanjiv) July 14, 2023

Prime Minister Modi saluted the Indian contingent as it passed the dais where Macron, he and other dignitaries were seated.

#WATCH | Indian Air Forces Rafales participate in the flypast at Bastille Day parade in Paris, France pic.twitter.com/uYG1TJxC7z

— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2023

Throughout the parade, Macron was seen animatedly explaining to Modi the nuances of the traditional parade.

India, inspired by its centuries old ethos, is committed to doing everything possible to make our planet peaceful, prosperous and sustainable.

1.4 billion Indians will always be grateful to France for being a strong and trusted partner. May the bond deepen even further! 🇮🇳 🇫🇷 https://t.co/E9wifWUap2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

The French National Day, or Bastille Day, occupies a special place in the French consciousness as it commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789. The Bastille Day parade is the highlight of the celebrations.