India Major Partner In Indo-Pacific: French CDS Says Joint Actions Contribute To Stability In Call With Gen Anil Chauhan

Over the years, the defence partnership between India and France has only grown, with deals like that for the Rafale fighter jets and HAMMER missiles transforming the ties further. Marking yet another boost to India-France defence cooperation, French Chief of Defence Staff General Fabien Mandon held a telephonic conversation with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

In their phone call held on Tuesday (March 17, 2026), as the West Asia conflict continues to escalate, the two Army chiefs underlined the growing strategic alignment between the two nations. Their discussion focused on ongoing military cooperation, joint activities and the importance of sustained engagement between the armed forces of both countries.

“India is a major partner of France in the Indo-Pacific,” General Mandon said, highlighting the depth and scope of bilateral defence ties.

Indo-Pacific in focus: Why this partnership matters

The conversation comes at a time when the Indo-Pacific region is witnessing increasing strategic competition and maritime tensions, making partnerships like India-France more critical than ever. Both sides emphasised that regular military exchanges across land, air and sea domains, joint training and operational coordination, capability development initiatives, are key to ensuring regional stability and security.

France, with its territories and military presence in the Indo-Pacific, sees India as a key anchor for maintaining balance in the region.

From exercises to operations: Expanding military cooperation

India and France have steadily built a multi-dimensional defence partnership, marked by frequent joint exercises and operational collaboration, which include Exercise VARUNA (naval exercise), Exercise GARUDA (air force exercise), Exercise SHAKTI (army exercise).

These engagements have enhanced interoperability between forces, tactical coordination, real-time operational readiness.

The latest interaction between the two Chiefs of Defence Staff signals a continued push towards more complex and integrated military cooperation.

India-France 10-year defence pact renewed

The telephonic talks follow a series of major developments in bilateral defence ties. During the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue held in Bengaluru last month, both countries renewed their defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years, announced reciprocal deployment of military officers, focused on co-development and co-production of advanced defence systems.

A key highlight of recent cooperation is the agreement between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics & Defence. The two companies signed an MoU to Establish a joint venture to manufacture HAMMER missiles in India, strengthen indigenous defence production capabilities, enhance technology transfer and local manufacturing.

Meanwhile, both sides are also expanding collaboration into next-generation defence domains, including advanced electronics and sensors, precision-guided munitions, emerging and niche military technologies. Officials say such cooperation will be crucial in addressing evolving security challenges and maintaining a technological edge.