Military ties to take centre stage as Modi visits France

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to France on Thursday where he will attend the traditional Bastille Day military parade as guest of honour and discuss major new defence deals.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne welcomed her Indian counterpart at Orly airport. President Emmanuel Macron has made Modi guest of honour for the July 14 military parade, which kicks off France's national day celebrations, with the participation of Indian troops and Indian-flown French-made fighter jets underlining close defence ties.

India is one of the biggest buyers of French arms, with Modi announcing a landmark deal during a trip to Paris in 2015. He is set to unveil the purchase of another 26 marine versions of the state-of-the-art aircraft during this visit, as well as a deal for three Scorpene-class submarines.