Modi on parade: Deals, displays and doubts as Indian PM visits France
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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Paris this Thursday for a special visit. Modi is the guest of honour at the July 14 military parade on the Champs-Élysées, but his visit is also expected to deepen ties with New Delhi's oldest strategic partner in the West, with a deal worth over €5 billion for India to take delivery of 26 French Rafale fighter jets.
In terms of geostrategy there is much to discuss – Macron was put out at India's hesitation in condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and questions remain about India's stance towards China.
Modi is perhaps seeking to see the lay of the land first, rather than take the high-handed position of a more established world power.
India, after all, has a lot of shared experience with Russia and China as part of the BRICS trading bloc. Is this a new recalibration of world powers?
Produced by Charles Wente, Josephine Joly and Imen Mellaz.
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