'India, France terror victims, can learn from each other'

France and India can draw lessons from each other as both countries have been victims of terror, said a senior French Army officer, who is leading his country’s marching contingent at the Republic Day parade.

“The two countries have unfortunately experienced terrorism in different ways, and hence there are different experience, different answers to the terrorism matters,” Lt Col P Bury, Commanding Officer of the 35th Infantry Regiment of 7th Armoured Brigade, said on Saturday in response to a query.

Terrorism is expected to be one of the key areas of focus during the visit of French President Francois Hollande as the chief guest for Republic Day celebrations.

“Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism matters are very important. Different countries can share some experience and one can draw lessons from another country because what happens somewhere can happen somewhere else also,” he said.

Talking about the Republic Day, Bury, who has twice served in Afghanistan, said it was a matter of pride and honour for his men to march down the Rajpath in such an important parade.

While 136 French soldiers are in the city for the parade, 123 of them will form the marching contingent.

Fifty-six French soldiers have already been in the country to take part in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency joint exercise ‘Shakti 2016’. The rest flew down especially for the parade.

Maj Gen Rajesh Sahai, Chief of Staff Delhi Area, said the parade was evolving, and added that foreign contingent should be a regular affair.

The 35th Infantry Regiment traces its origin back to 1604 when it was raised in Lorraine in France.

The regiment has as many as 12 battle honours to its credit. The battalion has varied combat experiences, having served in Algeria, Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan, among other places.

Image: French soldiers practise at Rajpath before the main event on Republic Day. Photograph: PTI