Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Paris for landmark France trip

Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh-led Ministry of Defence approved the purchase of additional 26 Rafale fighter jets. Modi was received by his French counterpart in Paris. French PM Elisabeth Borne welcomed PM Modi at Paris’ Orly Airport with a ceremonial ceremony. This is the second time that an Indian PM will take part in the Bastille Day parade. Earlier, then PM Dr Manmohan Singh attended the parade on the invitation of Nicolas Sarkozy.

Before his departure for Paris, PM Modi also gave an interview to French daily ‘Les Echos’. PM Modi said that he sees India is ‘strong shoulder’ of Global South. PM Modi also said the India needs to regain its ‘rightful place’. The paper called PM Modi an advocate of rejig of Bretton Woods international institutions.

Earlier in the day, MoD’s Defence Acquisition Council cleared way for acquisition of the Rafale jets and three Scorpene submarines. While the announcement of the deal will be made in Paris, the delivery of the aircraft will begin within three years of signing the deal. The finalisation of the deal will take up to a year as price of the combat jets would be negotiated by both parties.

The Indian Navy is finally getting the fighter jets after a very lengthy process. After several tests, the Indian Navy had zeroed in on Dassault Aviation’s Rafale M aircraft and Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet. In the end, Rafale won the race.