French Chief of Army Staff’s India visit to strengthen strategic ties between 2 nations

New Delhi, Feb 27: General Pierre Schill, Chief of Army Staff of the French Army, is on an official visit to India from February 27 to 29.

The visit commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial on February 27th, where General Schill paid tribute to the gallant soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.

Following the ceremony, a ceremonial Guard of Honour was accorded to General Schill at the South Block Lawns in New Delhi, signifying the respect and camaraderie between the two nations.

Subsequently, General Schill engaged in discussions with General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army, and other senior military officials, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation and addressing contemporary challenges.

Officials said that during his visit, General Schill is slated to interact with representatives from the defence industry and witness a Pinaka firing demonstration in Rajasthan, showcasing India's indigenous defence capabilities.

Additionally, he will visit the "Sapta Shakti Command" in Jaipur to engage with senior military commanders, further fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.

On February 29th, General Schill is scheduled to address officers at the National Defence College (NDC), highlighting the importance of shared knowledge and expertise in advancing strategic objectives.

General Schill's visit underlines the shared commitment of India and France to bolster their strategic partnership across defence, security, and technology domains. French President Emmanuel Macron's recent visit to India on the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day, where key security agreements, including joint production of military helicopters and defence satellites, were inked further cemented the relationship between the two countries.

The collaboration extends to various spheres, including the establishment of India's first private-sector helicopter assembly line in partnership with Airbus and Tata.

Moreover, French engine maker Safran's willingness to transfer advanced technology for building fighter jet engines underscores the depth of cooperation between the two nations.

A significant milestone in the partnership is the Defence Space Agreement aimed at developing military satellites with enhanced capabilities for both offensive and defensive operations.