PM Modi's Upcoming Visit to Paris: A Symbolic And Substantial Two-Day Affair With A 25-Year Vision Document

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Paris, will hold great significance, on account of its emphasis on both - symbolism and substance.

Over the course of two days, PM Modi will partake in a private dinner at the Elysee Palace, be a guest of honor at the Bastille Day parade, and attend a state banquet at the Louvre Museum. These events will highlight and reinforce the strong bilateral ties between India and France and set the stage for a vision statement that would span 25 years.

In addition to the vision document, the visit is expected to yield ambitious outcomes in various areas. Defence, space, geo-strategy, infrastructure, energy, climate action, museology, student mobility, people-to-people connections, sports, and culture are all areas where significant progress is anticipated.

Joint statements on the Indo-Pacific and the strategic pillar are also expected to be released.

French President Emmanuel Macron will play a pivotal role in PM Modi's visit. He will host a private dinner for the Prime Minister at the Elysee Palace on July 13 and is also expected to arrange a state banquet at the Louvre Museum the following day.

There are reports of plans of Macron personally giving PM Modi a tour of the museum.

This visit holds special importance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership. France is a crucial strategic partner for India, and the vision statement to be released during the visit will serve as a roadmap for the next 25 years.

On July 14th, the Bastille Day celebrations will have Modi as the guest of honour. A contingent from India, including the IAF's Rafale aircraft, will also participate in the parade.

The Bastille Day parade is a significant part of the French national celebrations, similar to India's Republic Day parade.

Notably, it is uncommon to invite foreign leaders as guests of honour, with the last occurrence being in 2017 when then US President Donald Trump was invited. It is even rarer to include foreign marching contingents and aircraft in the parade.

Due to the good personal chemistry between PM Modi and Macron, the French President will make special gestures during the visit. This includes multiple meetings, such as a private dinner and a joint meeting with CEOs. The state banquet at the Louvre Museum on Bastille Day is also part of these special gestures.

PM Modi is also scheduled to interact with the entire political leadership of France, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, as well as the presidents of the Senate and National Assembly.

There is expected to be a strong emphasis on trade and economy during the upcoming CEO forum in the visit, which will include prominent figures from both India and France. According to reports, there will be discussions on close collaboration not only on bilateral matters but also on global issues between the two countries.