In a significant move to bolster defense ties, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi embarked on a four-day official visit to France from February 24 to 27, 2025. This visit underscores the deepening strategic partnership between India and France, focusing on enhancing military collaboration and exploring new avenues of cooperation between the armed forces of both nations.
Strengthening Military Collaboration
The visit commenced with General Dwivedi engaging with senior French military leadership at Les Invalides in Paris. He was accorded a Guard of Honour, followed by discussions with General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the French Army. These talks aimed to foster stronger military ties and address shared security concerns. The itinerary also included a visit to the École Militaire, a prestigious military academy in Paris, where General Dwivedi was briefed on the Future Combat Command (CCF). Additionally, he received insights at the Technical Section of the French Army (STAT) and visited the Battle Lab Terre in Versailles, focusing on advancements in military technology and modernization efforts.
Focus on Joint Training and Modernization
On February 25, General Dwivedi traveled to Marseille to visit the French Army’s 3rd Division at Fort Ganteaume. Here, he was briefed on the division’s mission and role, the bilateral exercise SHAKTI, India-France training cooperation, and the French Army’s modernization program, “Scorpion.”
Exercise SHAKTI, a biennial training event conducted alternately in India and France, aims to enhance joint military capabilities for multi-domain operations in sub-conventional scenarios. The last edition was conducted in France in November 2021, and the upcoming iteration is scheduled to take place in France later this year.
The following day, General Dwivedi visited Carpiagne to witness a dynamic demonstration of the Scorpion Division, which included live firing exercises. The Scorpion program represents a significant leap in the French Army’s modernization efforts, focusing on enhancing operational capabilities through integrated combat systems and advanced technologies. This demonstration provided valuable insights into the operational readiness and technological advancements of the French military.
Honoring Historical Ties
On February 27, General Dwivedi paid homage to Indian soldiers who fought in World War I by laying a wreath at the Neuve Chapelle Indian War Memorial. This act commemorated the bravery and sacrifices of Indian troops who served on French soil during the war. Later that day, he delivered a lecture at the École de Guerre, the French Joint Staff College, discussing the evolving nature of modern warfare and India’s strategic vision. This engagement highlighted India’s commitment to sharing knowledge and collaborating on strategic defense initiatives with France.
Recent Defense Dialogues
This visit follows the India-France Bilateral Dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation held in Paris on February 14, 2025. During the dialogue, both nations discussed developments related to nuclear, chemical, and biological disarmament, outer space security, conventional weapons, and the role of Artificial Intelligence in the military domain. These discussions reflect the shared commitment of India and France to address global security challenges collaboratively.
Conclusion
General Dwivedi’s visit to France signifies a robust commitment to strengthening the defense partnership between India and France. By engaging in high-level discussions, observing advanced military exercises, and honoring historical ties, both nations are poised to enhance their strategic collaboration, ensuring mutual security and stability in the global arena.
