On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go to France to strengthen ties with New Delhi’s longest strategic partner in the West, with a spate of high-profile arms deals and a new collaborative plan to ensure Indo-Pacific stability expected.

French President Emmanuel Macron has invited Modi to be the honorary guest at the Bastille Day celebrations. The parade will also feature units from India’s army, navy, and air force, as well as two of the 36 Rafale fighter jets purchased in 2015 for roughly $9 billion.