'Bonjour Paris,' says Rajnath Singh in France before Rafale handover

Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to France, tweeted 'Bonjour Paris' upon his arrival in country where he is to take delivery of first Rafale jet fighter. 'Bonjour Paris' is a French term which translates to 'Hello Paris'. Singh also tweeted that he was delighted to be in France and that France is an important strategic partner of India. He also said that his visit to France is aimed at expanding existing strategic partnership between both countries.

RE | Rajnath Singh Kicks Off His Three-day Visit To France From Delhi

Rajnath Singh's France schedule

Defence Minister will receive India's first Rafale aircraft in Merignac near Bordeaux on October 8 which is also Air Force Day and Dussehra. After a brief meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, he will move to Paris with a team of senior defence to attend Induction Ceremony of Rafale. Through his meeting with French President, Singh is expected to deepen India-France bilateral ties. Sources have also reported that Singh will be flying a sortie in Rafale Jet after it is officially inducted in Indian Air Force. Rajnath Singh h also tweeted earlier that he will attend Annual Defence Dialogue. 

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Defence Minister will also continue trition of performing 'Shastra Pooja' this year in France when he takes delivery of  Rafale. Shastra Pooja (worship of weapons) is an old Hindu trition where warriors perform pooja of ir arms and weapons. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his days as Chief Minister also used to perform Shastra pooja on every Dussehra of both ancient and modern arms.

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RE | Rajnath Singh To Perform 'Shastra Pooja' In France This Dushehra