India-France
Big Defence boost! India, France set to renew 10-year pact at high-stakes Bengaluru meet
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on February 17, when the two leaders are expected to renew the defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years.
According to a government statement, the meeting will review the entire spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation, with a particular focus on expanding industrial collaboration.
"A key highlight of the dialogue is expected to be the renewal of the India-France defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years," read a government statement.
An MoU for a joint venture to manufacture HAMMER missiles is also likely to be signed in the presence of both Defence Ministers.
An announcement is anticipated regarding the reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments, further strengthening military-to-military ties.
The two ministers are also scheduled to witness the virtual inauguration of the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly Line of Tata Airbus at Vemagal, Karnataka, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Defence: A Pillar of India-France Relations
Defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between India and France. The strength of bilateral ties was underscored in 2024–2025 through several high-profile exchanges.
Prime Minister Modi attended France’s Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour in July 2023, while President Macron was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day Parade in 2024.
The recently announced India-EU Security & Defence Partnership has further deepened collective engagement with European partners, with military cooperation on the rise.
India and France regularly conduct three major bilateral military exercises — Exercise Shakti (Army), Exercise Varuna (Navy) and Exercise Garuda (Air Force) — alongside several other operational engagements.
This will be Catherine Vautrin’s maiden visit to India since assuming office on October 12, 2025. The India-France Annual Defence Dialogue is a structured ministerial-level mechanism aimed at reviewing and guiding defence and security cooperation. The 5th edition of the dialogue was held in France from October 11–13, 2023.
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