6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin

6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin

¨     6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin.

¨     The dialogue is a ministerial-level meeting between the two countries and reviews the full spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation.

¨     This year’s discussions focus strongly on expanding industrial collaboration.

¨     A long-standing defence cooperation agreement is expected to be renewed for another ten years.

¨     An MoU on a joint venture to manufacture Hammer missiles in India is likely to be signed.

¨     The ministers are also expected to witness a virtual inauguration ceremony of the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly of Tata Airbus by PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron at Vemagal, Karnataka.

¨     PM Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade in France in July 2023 as Guest of Honour.

¨     Emmanuel Macron was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day Parade in 2024.

¨  Military-to-military cooperation between India and France continues to expand. They regularly conduct Exercise Shakti between their armies.

¨     They also hold Exercise Varuna between their navies. Exercise Garuda is conducted between their air forces.

¨     This is the first visit to India by Catherine Vautrin since taking office on October 12, 2025.

¨     The previous (5th) edition of the dialogue was held in France from October 11 to 13, 2023.