The traditional military parade on July 14, France’s national day, went off without a hitch on Friday in Paris, with Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the guest of honor at this year’s ceremonies amid tight security. AFP and Agerpres report.

On the occasion of this day, 45,000 policemen and gendarmes were mobilized throughout the country. Several cities canceled celebrations and the sale of firecrackers and fireworks was banned to prevent another episode of violence.

At the end of June, several episodes of urban riots swept through the country, causing significant damage after the death of a teenager who was shot by a police officer during traffic control.

In Paris, celebrations on July 14, the date of the storming of the Bastille at the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789, began, as every year, with a military parade on the Champs-Élysées in the center of the capital.

Ahead of the parade, the Elysee Palace announced that Emmanuel Macron had awarded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest award, on Thursday evening to “celebrate the prime minister’s role in the great relationship of friendship and trust”. that unites France and India”.

The French left criticized the leader of India

Paris and New Delhi are celebrating this year the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership, which France wants to strengthen in the Asia-Pacific region, although India is accused by non-governmental organizations of authoritarian drift.

The French left criticized the visit, which Socialist leader Olivier Faure said “honours a charming autocrat”. The leader of the French insoumise (La France insoumise, radical left) Jean-Luc Mélenchon condemned the agreement between the two leaders, “both marked by authoritarian violence.”

Since Modi came to power in 2014, India has “not stopped regressing in the fight against poverty, against inequality, and on human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the environmentalists commented.

And applause, but also booing

Before the parade, the French head of state drove down the prestigious Champs-Élysées aboard a military vehicle in front of a small crowd, garnering both applause and a few boos.

After the passage of nine fighter jets of the French patrol, which painted the Parisian sky blue, white and red, the parade was opened by 240 members of the Indian armed forces, some of whom wore turbans.

In total, the 2023 edition gathered 6,500 participants, of which 5,100 were standing. More than 60 aircraft, including foreign ones, 28 helicopters, 157 cars and 62 motorcycles, as well as 200 horses of the Republican Guard passed in front of the audience.

If we talk about the French military aid sent to Ukraine, the Parisians saw Caesar guns and AMX10-RC type armored vehicles sent to Kyiv.

India will buy 26 new Rafale aircraft and three French submarines

The parade ended with the performance of the national anthem “Marseillaise”. Emmanuel Macron spent a long time with military families, after which he offered himself a public bath on one of the most famous boulevards in the world, reports AFP.

The presence of the Indian prime minister in Paris will be an opportunity to discuss the terms of the purchase of 26 new Rafale aircraft from Dassault Aviation for the Indian aircraft carrier, as well as three submarines, the purchase of which New Delhi agreed in principle on Thursday.

July 14 celebrations in Paris will end on Friday evening with a concert and fireworks near the Eiffel Tower under the supervision of about 10,000 law enforcement officers.

• Read also: Narendra Modi, the guest of honor at the July 14 military parade in Paris / France and India begin a “new phase of partnership”