Boosting ties with France

France was recovering from riots which lashed the nation following the killing of Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old youth of Moroccan and Algerian descent, by the police at a traffic stop.

- HARSHA KAKAR

India refused to comment stating it was an internal matter of France. Simultaneously, the European parliament discussed the Manipur riots. Christian groups forming part of the European parliament believed that these were initiated to target the Christian Kuki community, ignoring the fact that even Christian Meiteis were attacked by rival Kuki groups. It issued a statement demanding India protect its minorities.

The French government neither commented on Manipur nor on the European Parliament statement. The Indian government rejected the comments terming them as ‘interference in India’s internal matters.’ The Nato summit had just concluded, where members, while displaying solidarity with Ukraine, refused to give a timeline for its admission. It was at this juncture that Prime Minister Modi visited Paris as guest of honour for the French National Day, also termed as Bastille Day. The visit marked 25 years of the Indo-France strategic partnership.

The Indian army contingent which marched down the ChampsÉlysées, on the occasion of Bastille Day was from the Punjab Regiment, which had earned the battle honour ‘France and Flanders’ for its participation in the offensive near Neuve Chapelle in France in September 1915. Also participating were four Rafale aircraft which India had recently acquired from France. INS Chennai, an indigenously built destroyer, berthed in Brest, France from 12 to 16 July. The ship’s crew represented India at the Bastille Day celebrations in Brest. The symbolism of Indo-French defence ties, which have developed over the years, was not missed.