Also seen will be the Indian Navy and Air Force contingents with their bands. With pipes and drums playing the familiar tunes of 'Kadam, kadam badhaye ja' and 'Haste Lushai', it will be an evocative moment for India-France ties.

Manmohan Singh landed here Monday evening for his brief visit and was received by Justice Minister Michelle Alliot-Marie. He will be hosted to a working lunch by French President Nicolas Sarkozy during which the two leaders will discuss the gamut of global and bilateral issues.