Strengthening strategic autonomy, India and France’s defense ministers will spearhead the sixth annual dialogue on February 17 in Bengaluru, amid approvals for major procurements. Rajnath Singh hosts France’s Catherine Vautrin, whose visit marks her debut to India since assuming office in October 2025.
A centerpiece event: PM Modi and President Macron’s virtual ribbon-cutting for Tata-Airbus H125 helicopter assembly in Vemgal, Karnataka. This initiative propels ‘Make in India’ by localizing high-tech assembly, reducing import dependence.
Talks will scrutinize defense-industrial ties, with emphasis on scaling partnerships. Key outcomes may include a 10-year extension of core agreements, Hammer missile joint ventures, and officer exchange programs for seamless military integration.
Historical collaboration shines through trilateral exercises—Shakti, Varuna, Garuda—while reciprocal chief guest honors at national celebrations underscore trust. Just three days prior, the DAC under Singh cleared Rafale fighters, precision missiles, and high-altitude drones for the air force.
Rafale’s battlefield prowess was evident in Operation Sindoor, delivering standoff strikes on terror bases in Pakistan. With local manufacturing at the forefront, these additions to the existing two squadrons empower India’s aerial dominance. This dialogue not only reviews past successes but charts a bold future for Indo-French defense innovation.