Bastille Day Parade - Significance & History | UPSC Notes

Understanding the Bastille Day Parade

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• In the past, India's then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, was invited as the guest for the Bastille Day parade in 2009.
• Bastille Day, also known as the National Day of France, is celebrated with great pomp and show.
• The day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, a significant event that marked the beginning of the French Revolution .
• The Bastille Day military parade is one of the oldest and most prestigious military parades globally.
• Known also as the 14 July military parade, this event has been a regular feature in Paris since 1880 and showcases France's military prowess.

Why is it Significant?

• The invitation to the Indian Prime Minister marks the 25th year of strategic partnership between France and India.
• The meeting between the Indian prime minister and French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to yield crucial discussions on defence, nuclear power, and strategies concerning the Indo-Pacific Region.
• The acceptance of the invitation by the Indian Prime Minister will be a litmus test for India's diplomacy, especially considering the ongoing Ukraine conflict and its relations with western countries and Russia.

For more details on the conflict, visit Russia – Ukraine conflict .