Opinion: Modi In France - Celebrating The Past, Preparing For The Future

This is a moment of transformational change in the global order, with growing uncertainty about the future. To navigate this uncertain environment, new partnerships and new platforms are taking shape as nations struggle to make sense of the world around them. At a time like this, India has become the centre of attraction of the world. Today, all major powers of the world want to have a robust partnership with India. Indian diplomatic activity and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's busy calendar stand testimony to New Delhi's growing centrality in the emerging international milieu. Against this backdrop, after his successful state visit to America, Prime Minister Modi was in France this week as the chief guest on the occasion of the French national day - Bastille Day.

This visit was a celebration of 25 years of their bilateral strategic partnership, as Modi was conferred the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour by Macron. A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent participated in the Bastille Day parade, marching to the tune of 'Saare jahan se achcha' and three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) joined the flypast along with French jets.

Relations between India and France have stood the test of time, with France supporting India's stand on internationally disputed and divisive topics ranging from Kashmir to nuclear power. France was the first country with veto power to support India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. The strategic partnership between the two countries gained momentum in the last decade of the last century. After the nuclear tests, when the wider West imposed sanctions on India, France did not join that bandwagon. The best thing about Indo-French relations is that both countries have shown a willingness to adapt this friendship to the 21st century. The similar approach of Prime Minister Modi and President Macron on many global issues confirms this. Both leaders attach great importance to strategic autonomy in any partnership. Despite being a member of NATO, France showed the same practical attitude towards Russia as India did. France's often immediate support for important initiatives of India also shows the strength of the bilateral partnership. Prime Minister Modi's personal bond with Macron remains an important factor in deepening relations with France at a time of great geopolitical turbulence.