Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
India

In A First, French Contingent To Join In India's Republic Day Parade

IANS, 08 Jan, 2016 12:35 PM
    For the first time ever, a foreign contingent will participate in the Republic Day parade -- French troops will march down the Rajpath on January 26, official sources said.
     
    Sources from the defence ministry said that a contingent of the French army will participate in the march.
     
    The French contingent will march down the Rajpath as French President Francois Hollande will be seated as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations this year.
     
    In 2009, India participated in the Bastille Day Military Parade or 14 July Military Parade, the oldest regular military parade in the world.
     
    Then President Nicolas Sarkozy invited Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to attend the event as the guest of honour. Soldiers including jawans of Maratha Light Infantry Regiment Centre (MLIRC) marched down the Champs Elysees to the sound of an Indian military band playing Indian martial tunes including "Saare Jahan Se Achcha".
     
    This is the fifth time a French leader will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, the highest for any country. Earlier leaders from that country had presided in 1976, 1980, 1998 and 2008.
     
    Defence relations between the two nations have been growing close, with the deal for buying 36 Rafale jets, which was finalised recently, being the latest feat.
     
    Meanwhile, a French contingent comprising 56 personnel of 35th Infantry Regiment of 7th Armoured Brigade, which had taken part in the Afghan war, arrived in Jodhpur to take part in eight-day long counter insurgency joint exercise 'Shakti-2016'.
     
    The contingent, led by Major Thibaut De Lacoste Lareymondie arrived on Thursday at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Amartya Sen Lauds Delhi's Odd-even Policy, Seeks More Such Moves

    "The fact that it succeeded, it brings happiness and it brings confidence that something like this can be done. And I hope there will be many more to reduce pollution and other environmental hazards," he said.

    Amartya Sen Lauds Delhi's Odd-even Policy, Seeks More Such Moves

    Delhi High Court Suggests Limiting Odd-even Plan To A Week

    Delhi High Court Suggests Limiting Odd-even Plan To A Week
    The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the city government whether it can limit the 15-day odd-even number car regulation scheme to a week, saying it has caused inconvenience to people.

    Delhi High Court Suggests Limiting Odd-even Plan To A Week

    NIA Reconstructs SP Salwinder Singh's 'Abduction', Questions Him

    NIA officials on Wednesday took Punjab Police officer Salwinder Singh with them to reconstruct the entire sequence of events of his 'abduction' by suspected Pakistani terrorists who later attacked the Pathankot air base in a pre-dawn attack on January 2.

    NIA Reconstructs SP Salwinder Singh's 'Abduction', Questions Him

    Nawaz Sharif Promises PM Modi Prompt Action Against Pathankot Attackers

    Nawaz Sharif Promises PM Modi Prompt Action Against Pathankot Attackers
    Dialling Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Sri Lanka, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday promised "prompt and decisive action" against terrorist groups linked to the attack on the air base at Pathankot in Punjab.

    Nawaz Sharif Promises PM Modi Prompt Action Against Pathankot Attackers

    NSG Deployment Before Attack Proved Alertness: Punjab DGP Suresh Arora

    NSG Deployment Before Attack Proved Alertness: Punjab DGP Suresh Arora
    Asked if all terrorists had been accounted for, he said: "We do not have any information on any more terrorists."

    NSG Deployment Before Attack Proved Alertness: Punjab DGP Suresh Arora

    Modi Took Election Losers In Cabinet: Shatrughan Sinha

    Modi Took Election Losers In Cabinet: Shatrughan Sinha
    Disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha has lamented the entry of "Johnnies-come-lately" and those who lost the Lok Sabha polls in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government while seniors were ignored.

    Modi Took Election Losers In Cabinet: Shatrughan Sinha