In the first ever attempt, the Indian soldiers were invited by the French government to take part in the Bastille Day March, as a mark to commemorate the storming of the Bastille fortress in Paris during the 1789 revolution, leading to the formation of the French Republic.

Indian soldiers marched down the Champs Elysees to the music of Saare Jahan Se Achchha. Around 400 soldiers participated in the parade.