India-France Forge Stronger Ties in Defence with New Agreements

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French counterpart Catherine Vautrin are set to meet in Bengaluru. A 10-year renewal of the defence cooperation agreement is anticipated, alongside a MoU for Hammer missile manufacturing. The meeting underscores growing military collaboration through joint projects and reciprocal officer deployments between their armed forces.

In a significant development in defence ties, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is poised to engage in high-level talks with his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, in Bengaluru. This pivotal meeting, scheduled for February 17, aims to renew a key defence cooperation agreement and solidify bilateral ties for another decade.

At the helm of this dialogue, both nations are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the collaborative manufacturing of Hammer missiles, marking a milestone in defence collaboration between the two countries. Additionally, the virtual inauguration of the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will further exemplify growing industrial partnerships.

The summit will also cover reciprocal officer deployments within Indian and French military establishments, highlighting the robustness of the India's defence strategy. With a backdrop of joint military exercises and recent international military stock exercises, the burgeoning relationship reflects a strategic pivot towards enhanced military collaboration.

(With inputs from agencies.)