Diplomatic advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, Emmanuel Bonne will arrive in Delhi on Thursday for a day trip to India. Bonne will meet Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor and possibly meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi before heading back to Paris at night.
Bonne's visit aims to solidify the agenda for PM Modi's visit to France, when the prime minister will meet President Macron on July 13 and attend the gala show on Bastille Day on July 14.
India and France share a common interest in fighting terrorism in the Indo-Pacific. The two countries have deep political ties. France does not supply weapons or platforms to India’s adversaries in the north and the west.
According to the French envoy to India, Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain, Modi's visit to France will be 'quite an event'. Being invited as a Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade (France's National Day) celebrations is a rare honour. France does not invite foreign dignitaries as chief guests every year.
France, by offering to manufacture advanced missiles and ammunition in India, has extended support to India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative. It has also offered to co-develop and manufacture high-thrust engines for India's future combat aircraft, as well as build Scorpene submarines for other countries at Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) to ensure the facility remains active.
At the Bastille Day celebrations, Indian troops will march on the Champs-Elysées and Indian Rafale will participate in the fly past," Lenain said. The visit is expected to lead to large defence contracts, cooperation in trade and chart out a new course for bilateral ties.
Doval and Bonne, in the meantime, are likely to discuss the impact of Ukraine's war on the EU and China's expanding presence in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic regions.
