India's military might shares stage in Bastille Day festivity

The Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter planes and tri-services marching contingents on Friday took part in the imposing Bastille Day parade in Paris, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the guest of honour at a time when India and France are commemorating the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

- 

Three IAF Rafales formed part of the spectacular multi-aircraft fly past over the iconic Paris landmark, Champs-Elysees, which set the stage for scores of military contingents to march down the boulevard, with French President Emmanuel Macron, Modi and other dignitaries watching the proceedings from a stage facing the war memorial Arc de Triomphe.

The Indian Army's marching contingent, drawn from the Punjab Regiment, led the parade, followed by a military band from the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, the Indian Navy contingent and the Indian Air Force contingent. In all, 242 Indian military personnel were part of the marching contingents. French marching squads and mechanised columns came thereafter.

"Every Indian would be proud to see this," Modi wrote on Twitter, captioning a video clip showing the Indian contingents marching down Champs-Elysees with the army band playing the tune of Saare Jahan Se Acha.