Indian Army soldiers rehearsing in New Delhi before leaving for Paris to take part in France’s Bastille Day parade. (Photo by special arrangement.)
New Delhi: An Indian contingent comprising 269 personnel from the triservices left for Paris, on Thursday, to take part in the Bastille Day parade in the French capital. Along with the contingent that will take part in the military march, three Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets will also participate in the flypast over the Champs-Élysées.
The prime minister, Narendra Modi, will be the guest of honour in the event.
In a statement, the defence ministry said: “The parade will witness a 269-member triservices contingent of the Indian armed forces marching alongside their French counterparts. The contingent has left for France today (Thursday).”
Punjab Regiment Drill Contentment has been selected to represent #IndianArmy at #Bastille Day Celebrations on 14 Jul 23 at Paris, #France. Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble PM will be the chief guest at the celebrations.
— Samir Gangakhedkar PRO (Def) Prayagraj (@PROdefprayagraj) July 6, 2023
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/DfVz8F9X9d
Highlighting India’s military association with France, the statement said: “The association of the Indian and the French armies dates back to World War I. Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated in the war and almost 74,000 of them fought in the muddy trenches to never return, while another 67,000 were wounded.”
“Indian troops valiantly fought on French soil also. Their courage, valour and supreme sacrifice not only thwarted the enemy but also significantly contributed towards winning the war. Later, World War II witnessed a whopping 2.5 million Indian soldiers making significant contributions in various theatres of the war from Asia to Africa and Europe. This also included the battlefields of France,” the statement added from history.
It further said Indian soldiers’ valour and sacrifice in the two world wars have been recognized in the form of several gallantry awards being bestowed on them.
Bastille Day is celebrated as a national day in France. The parade takes place on July 14 every year to commemorate the storming of the Bastille fort by French revolutionaries in 1789 as well as the Celebration of the Federation (Fête de la Fédération) that celebrated the unity of the French people on July 14, 1790.
