The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General N S Raja Subramani, met with French Chief of Defence Staff General (Air) Fabien Mandon in New Delhi to enhance defense ties between India and France. The discussions focused on strengthening defense relations in various key sectors following a ceremonial Guard of Honour and a tribute at the National War Memorial. Both Generals emphasized the growing defense cooperation between the two countries.
General Mandon expressed gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted the regular joint training exercises between the French and Indian armies in the region. The strategic talks underscored the close and dynamic cooperation between India and France, recently elevated to a global strategic partnership. This partnership reflects the shared ambition and strategic proximity between the two nations.
During his official visit to India, General Mandon also met with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to reaffirm the commitment to enhancing the India–France defense partnership. The discussions emphasized the importance of defense industrial cooperation through co-design, co-development, and co-production in alignment with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The meeting aimed to build on the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France, strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries.
France and India have a history of strategic cooperation across various sectors including defense, space, nuclear energy, and cultural exchanges. Prime Minister Modi, after his visit to Paris, expressed confidence that the friendship between India and France will continue to strengthen in the future. The visit included engagements in Nice for the Bharat Innovates program, Evian for G7, and Paris for VivaTech 2026, showcasing the extensive nature of the visit and the outcomes achieved.
