00:00 Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Paris later this Thursday afternoon.
00:03 The Indian prime minister is guest of honor this year for France's Bastille Day military
00:08 parade.
00:09 His presence in the traditional event then symbolizes the central element of bilateral
00:14 relations between France and India, and that is military ties.
00:18 Indian pilots will fly French-made fighter jets at the parade, a reminder that New Delhi
00:22 is one of the biggest buyers of French weapons.
00:25 Two leaders are also expected to discuss major new defense deals.
00:30 Earlier we spoke to France 24 correspondent Sara Jacob for more.
00:34 Both Narendra Modi and President Macron, both substantive and symbolic.
00:40 India's in the market for 26 Rafale fighter jet for its Navy.
00:43 A deal has been in the making for three Scorpene submarines.
00:47 So a large thrust of this trip is the expectation of some high-profile defense deals being signed.
00:53 The other highlight of course is the expectation of a joint agreement, a new joint agreement
00:58 to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region with the aim of course of containing China,
01:03 which is of critical importance to both France and New Delhi right now.
01:08 But that's not all.
01:09 There's of course global pressing issues like climate change on the agenda, but that's not
01:14 all.
01:15 This visit also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Indo-France strategic partnership.
01:20 And so in a rare honor, we will see a contingent of the Indian military and three Rafale fighter
01:27 jets purchased from France in 2015 take part in the Bastille Day celebrations while Prime
01:34 Minister Modi watches on as chief guest of honor.
