General Dwivedi was briefed on its operational role and future joint training initiatives, including Exercise SHAKTI, which is scheduled to take place in France later this year.
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is currently on an official visit to France, reinforcing military ties between the two nations. As part of his visit from February 24 to 27, he engaged with the French Army’s 3rd Division at Fort Ganteaume, where he was briefed on its operational role and future joint training initiatives, including Exercise SHAKTI, which is scheduled to take place in France later this year.
Exercise SHAKTI is an annual joint military drill designed to enhance interoperability and synergy in tactical operations between the armies of India and France. In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) highlighted the significance of the exercise, stating that it strengthens coordination between the two nations’ armed forces.
During his visit to Marseille on Tuesday, General Dwivedi gained insights into the mission and role of the 3rd Division, the India-France training cooperation framework, and the French Army’s modernisation programme, ‘Scorpion.’ The following day, he is set to travel to Carpiagne, where he will witness a dynamic demonstration of the Scorpion Division, including live firing exercises showcasing France’s advanced military capabilities.
COAS gained insights into the mission and role of the 3rd Division, the India-France training cooperation framework, and the French Army’s modernisation programme, ‘Scorpion.’
Earlier, on Monday, General Dwivedi met senior French military officials at Les Invalides. The visit commenced with a Guard of Honour, followed by discussions with General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the French Army. The Ministry of Defence stated that these high-level talks aimed to further deepen military collaboration between the two countries.
Additionally, the Indian Army Chief visited the Ecole Militaire, a prestigious military academy in Paris, where he was briefed on the Future Combat Command (CCF). He also toured the Technical Section of the French Army (STAT) and the Battle Lab Terre in Versailles, gaining insight into France’s advancements in military technology and innovation.
On Thursday, General Dwivedi will visit the Neuve Chapelle Indian War Memorial to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who fought in World War I. He is also scheduled to deliver a talk at the Ecole de Guerre, the French Joint Staff College, focusing on modern warfare and India’s strategic vision in global defence.
The visit takes place shortly after India and France held a Bilateral Dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in Paris on February 14. This dialogue addressed key security concerns, including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons-related developments, outer space security, artificial intelligence in military applications, lethal autonomous weapons, and multilateral export control regimes.
General Dwivedi’s visit signifies a continued commitment to strengthening India-France military cooperation. His engagements seek to explore new avenues of collaboration and enhance strategic partnerships between the armed forces of both nations. The Ministry of Defence emphasised that these interactions play a crucial role in expanding defence ties and mutual understanding, paving the way for future joint initiatives.
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