The invitation reflects booming business and military bilateral ties as well as India’s strategic importance as the world’s most populated country and the current leader of the Group of 20 nations, according to the officials who are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Attending Bastille Day, named after the fall of a fortress that symbolized the French revolution of 1789, is a rare privilege for France’s closest allies. The celebration in Paris typically includes a military parade on the Champs Elysees avenue and air force jets flying over the capital. Previous foreign guests include former US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Macron is expected to visit India in September.

Macron has sought to deepen political and business ties with developing countries in a bid to cast Europe as a stronger partner than China. France is preparing a global summit in June to propose a more effective and fairer cooperation between rich and developing nations.
The French leader has also tried to build a global coalition to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine. On a recent visit to China, Macron said Beijing can play a “major role” in Ukraine while adding that he opposes decoupling with the world’s second-biggest economy, distancing himself from the US’s hawkish stance.
Differences
But France’s outreach to China clashes with India’s tense relations with Beijing. A border dispute between the two Asian giants has occasionally led to deadly skirmishes. India and the US, along with Japan and Australia, are members of the so called Quad grouping seen as a counter to China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Beijing has criticized the group as a “clique” that could stoke a new Cold War.

Macron and Modi also disagree on the war in Ukraine. India has rejected Western pressure to condemn Russia’s invasion of its neighbor and has kept close ties with Moscow.
Differences between Paris and New Delhi won’t prevent deepening ties, officials said. India has already purchased 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. French-owned shipbuilder Naval Group has helped build six submarines in India through a transfer of technology and the company could be eyeing more such deals, people said.
Total goods trade between France and India approached $15.8 billion in 2022, a 6% increase from the previous year. Top French exports to India include aircraft, telecommunications equipment and turbojets. In February, Air India Ltd. agreed to purchase 250 commercial airplanes from Airbus SE.