Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru today. The high-level meeting will review the full spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation, with a special focus on expanding industrial collaboration between the two nations.
During the dialogue, a key defence cooperation agreement is expected to be renewed for another 10 years. An MoU for a joint venture to manufacture HAMMER missiles is also likely to be signed in the presence of both Defence Ministers. Additionally, an announcement is anticipated regarding the reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
The two leaders are also expected 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 remains a cornerstone of the India-France strategic partnership. The close bilateral ties were highlighted in recent years through several high-profile engagements. Prime Minister Modi was the Guest of Honour at France’s Bastille Day Parade in July 2023, while President Macron attended India’s Republic Day Parade in 2024 as Chief Guest.
The growing India-EU Security and Defence Partnership has further strengthened cooperation with European nations. Military-to-military engagements have expanded steadily, with the two countries regularly conducting major joint exercises — Exercise Shakti (Army), Exercise Varuna (Navy), and Exercise Garuda (Air Force) — along with other coordinated activities.
This marks the maiden visit of Catherine Vautrin to India since assuming office as French Defence Minister on October 12, 2025. The India-France Annual Defence Dialogue serves as a structured ministerial-level platform to review and guide defence and security cooperation. The fifth edition of the dialogue was held in France in October 2023.
