Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited the French Army’s 3rd Division at Fort Ganteaume, where he was briefed on the division’s role and plans for enhanced India-France military cooperation, including the upcoming Exercise SHAKTI in France later this year. The exercise is a key annual joint drill aimed at improving interoperability and tactical coordination between the two armies.
During his visit, General Dwivedi witnessed a dynamic demonstration of the Scorpion Division, featuring live firing exercises, as part of his ongoing efforts to bolster India-France defence ties. The Scorpion Division is central to France’s modernization program, and the demonstration provided valuable insights into its capabilities.
General Dwivedi’s visit, scheduled from February 24 to 27, includes discussions on strengthening bilateral military cooperation. He traveled to Marseille to gain insights into the 3rd Division’s mission, India-France training initiatives, and the French Army’s modernization plans. The Army Chief also visited key military institutions, including the Ecole Militaire in Paris and the French Army’s Technical Section and Battle Lab Terre in Versailles, to explore developments in military technology.
On Monday, General Dwivedi met with senior French military leaders, including General Pierre Schill, the Chief of Staff of the French Army, to discuss ways to deepen military ties between India and France. He also visited the Neuve Chapelle Indian War Memorial to honor Indian soldiers who fought in World War I and is set to deliver a talk on modern warfare at the French Joint Staff College, Ecole de Guerre.
This visit follows the India-France Bilateral Dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation held earlier this month in Paris, covering issues such as nuclear security, AI in the military, and multilateral export control regimes. The visit underscores the ongoing commitment to enhancing strategic military collaboration between the two nations.
