CDS Subramani, French counterpart hold strategic talks to bolster India-France defence ties
New Delhi/Paris, July 21 (IANS) The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General N S Raja Subramani on Tuesday held strategic talks with his French counterpart, General (Air) Fabien Mandon, in New Delhi as India and France continue to bolster defence ties across key domains.
According to the Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), following a ceremonial Guard of Honour and a solemn tribute at the National War Memorial, both Generals engaged in strategic talks to further strengthen India-France defence relations across several significant sectors.
The Chief of the Defence Staff of the French Armed Forces, highlighted the growing defence cooperation between both countries and also thanked CDS Subramani for the warm welcome.
“Honoured to have been received by the Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, General Raja Subramani. The French and Indian armies regularly train together as part of exercises in the region, strengthening the bond of trust that unites us,” the French CDS’ office posted on X.
“We maintain a particularly close, dynamic cooperation grounded in strategic proximity, which has recently been elevated to the rank of global strategic partnership. This evolution bears witness to the level of shared ambition between our two countries,” the statement added.
As part of his ongoing official visit to India, General Mandon had called on Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Monday.
During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India–France defence partnership, with a renewed focus on defence industrial cooperation through co-design, co-development and co-production, in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while building on the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to France.
France has been a longstanding strategic partner of India, with cooperation spanning across defence, space, nuclear energy and cultural exchanges.
Last month, as he concluded his visit to Paris, PM Modi said that the India-France friendship will become even stronger in the times to come.
“This visit to France has been extensive when it comes to engagement and outcomes. It began in Nice, where the Bharat Innovates programme was held, followed by Evian for G7 and then in Paris, where I addressed VivaTech 2026 and a large community programme, as well as met CEOs,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.
“I am especially grateful to my friend President Macron, the Government and the people of France for the warmth. The India-France friendship will become even stronger in the times to come,” he added.
–IANS
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