Marseille [France]: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set to visit Marseille on Tuesday, where he will be briefed on the French Army’s 3rd Division, bilateral exercise SHAKTI, and the modernisation programme “Scorpion”. His visit will be followed by a live demonstration in Carpiagne the next day.
Strengthening India-France Defence Cooperation
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), General Dwivedi will receive a briefing on:
✅ The mission and role of the 3rd Division of the French Army
✅ Bilateral exercise SHAKTI – a military training cooperation between India and France
✅ French Army modernisation programme “Scorpion”
“The following day, General Dwivedi will visit Carpiagne to witness a dynamic demonstration of the Scorpion Division with live firing exercises,” the MoD added.
High-Level Military Meetings in France
General Dwivedi, who is on an official visit to France from February 24 to 27, met senior French military officials on Monday at Les Invalides, where he received a Guard of Honour and held discussions with General Pierre Schill, the French Army Chief of Staff.
“The aim of the meeting will be to foster stronger military ties between the two nations,” the Defence Ministry stated.
Additionally, General Dwivedi:
🔹 Visited the École Militaire in Paris, where he was briefed on the Future Combat Command (CCF).
🔹 Received a briefing at the Technical Section of the French Army (STAT) and toured the Battle Lab Terre in Versailles.
Honouring Indian Soldiers and Strategic Talks
On Thursday, General Dwivedi will:
🌿 Lay a wreath at the Neuve Chapelle Indian War Memorial, honouring Indian soldiers who fought in World War I.
🎙️ Deliver a talk at the École de Guerre (French Joint Staff College) on modern warfare and India’s strategic vision.
“General Dwivedi’s visit aims to strengthen military collaboration between India and France, exploring new avenues of cooperation and enhancing strategic partnerships,” the MoD stated.
India-France Defence Relations
The COAS’s visit follows the India-France Bilateral Dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, held in Paris on February 14. Discussions covered:
🔹 Nuclear, chemical, and biological disarmament
🔹 Outer space security
🔹 Use of AI in military operations
🔹 Lethal autonomous weapons systems
🔹 Multilateral export control regimes
With defence ties between New Delhi and Paris strengthening, General Dwivedi’s visit is expected to enhance joint military cooperation, training programs, and technological exchanges between the two nations.