Meeting Armenian PM To Inaugurating IT Lab: What All Happened As CDS Anil Chauhan Wraps Up High-Level Visit

India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan concluded a four-day official visit to Armenia with an intensive slate of high-level engagements, underscoring New Delhi’s growing strategic focus on the Caucasus and signalling a clear push to deepen defence, security and technology cooperation between the two countries.

The visit comes at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments and reflects India’s intent to build reliable defence partnerships beyond its immediate neighbourhood. During his visit, the CDS held several meeting with the top leadership of the country while also visiting some key institutions.

What were the key political engagements during the visit?

A major highlight of the visit was General Chauhan’s call on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, where the two sides exchanged views on the evolving global geopolitical landscape and prevailing security environment.

According to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), discussions with the Armenian leadership focused on emerging opportunities for collaboration and pathways to further strengthen bilateral defence and strategic cooperation. General Chauhan also met Robert Abisoghomonyan, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, with talks centring on regional security challenges and broader bilateral issues.

India-Armenia defence cooperation: How did it feature in the talks?

Defence cooperation formed the core of the visit. The Indian delegation held detailed discussions with Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papkyan, focusing on enhancing defence collaboration across a range of shared security concerns.

In addition, General Chauhan led a courtesy call with Karen Brutyan, Deputy Minister of Defence of Armenia, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen defence ties and advance strategic collaboration in key regional and security domains.

The CDS also met Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, with both sides agreeing to pursue mutual capability development and closer military cooperation.

How is technology shaping India–Armenia defence ties?

Highlighting the growing convergence in defence innovation, General Chauhan and the Indian delegation met Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry, to explore avenues for cooperation in technology-driven defence solutions and innovation.

In a symbolic and substantive step, the CDS inaugurated an IT Lab and Distance Learning Centre at the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy in Yerevan, reinforcing India’s emphasis on capacity building, training and digital transformation in partner militaries.

What strategic messages did the CDS deliver during academic interactions?

General Chauhan addressed faculty and students at the National Defence Research University (NDRU), where he spoke on the changing nature of warfare, the evolving global security environment and the growing role of technology as a determinant of power.

He underlined how modern conflict is increasingly shaped by multi-domain operations, including Cyber, Electronic Warfare (EW), Space and Cognitive domains, and highlighted the ongoing revolution in military affairs.

Earlier in the visit, the Armenian Armed Forces accorded General Chauhan a ceremonial welcome with a Guard of Honour in Yerevan, reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties. The CDS also laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum, paying tribute to the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives.

What does this visit mean for India–Armenia ties going forward? From high-level political outreach and defence talks to technology collaboration and military education, General Chauhan’s visit marked a comprehensive engagement across strategic, operational and institutional levels. The engagements mark an important step in advancing long-term defence and security collaboration.