Rafale Gets PM Modi Ticket To Bastille Day Parade While Manipur Burns: Rahul Gandhi

Taking a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the purchase of Rafale warplanes got him an invite to the Bastille Day parade in France.

The Gandhi scion added that the EU discussed the Manipur issue which is an internal matter of India.

"Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India's internal matter. PM hasn't said a word on either!", Gandhi said.

"Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade", Gandhi added.

Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi, BJP leader Smriti Irani tweeted, "A man who seeks international intervention in India's internal matters, a frustrated dynast who sullies the 'Make in India' ambition mocks India when our PM receives a National honour. Rejected by people, he seethes as defence contracts no longer land at the doorstep of the dynasty."

Irani had defeated Gandhi in his family pocket borough of Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described his visit to France as a "memorable one" and said that seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the Bastille Day parade was wonderful.

"This France visit was a memorable one. It was made even more special because I got the opportunity to take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. Seeing the Indian contingent get a pride of place in the parade was wonderful. I am grateful to President @EmmanuelMacron and the French people for the exceptional warmth and hospitality. May India-France friendship continue to soar!" Modi tweeted, along with photographs of the parade.

Earlier in the day, Modi joined 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 along with French jets.