Indian Tri-Services contingent today left for the French Bastille Day parade scheduled to be held on the 14th of this month. This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade in France.

The parade will witness a 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Forces marching alongside their French counterparts. The 14th of July is celebrated as the National Day in France. It is also known as Bastille Day as this day is the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution.
 
The Defence Ministry said, the Indian Army contingent is being led by Captain Aman Jagtap. Indian Navy contingent is led by Commander Vrat Baghel while the Indian Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy. The Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will also be a part of the flypast during the parade.
 
According to the Defence Ministry, the association of the Indian and the French Armies dates back to World War I. Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated in the war. Later, 2.5 million Indian soldiers made significant contributions in various theatres of the war during World War II. India and France are celebrating 25 years of Strategic Partnership this year. Over the years, India and France have become reliable defence partners.