Rajnath Singh, India’s Defence Minister, concluded his two-nation European tour on October 11, 2023, with a significant event in Paris. He engaged in the 5th Annual Defence Dialogue with French Minister of Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, reinforcing the longstanding and strategic partnership between India and France.
The dialogue between the two Defence Ministers covered a wide spectrum of topics, from assessing the regional situation to the ongoing military-to-military engagements. A central focus of the discussions was the augmentation of defence-industrial cooperation, with an emphasis on deepening collaborative efforts between the two nations.
“The Ministers took time to review the progress of ongoing defence projects and to explore avenues for expanding collaboration in the defence industry. Notably, they delved into the potential for cooperation in specialized domains such as space, cyber, and artificial intelligence”.
The dialogue was preceded by a Guard of Honour at the French Ministry of Defence, signifying the significance of the event in strengthening bilateral ties.
Earlier on the same day, Rajnath Singh visited the Safran Engine Division’s R&D Centre located near Paris in Gennevilliers. During this visit, he had the opportunity to witness the latest developments in aero-engine technology, underscoring the importance of cutting-edge technology in the defence sector.
“Furthermore, the Defence Minister met with the CEOs of top French defence companies to discuss their plans for collaboration with India. He highlighted the advantages of co-development and co-production within India, including the potential for exports to third countries. Singh emphasized the inherent benefits of the Indian market, including a vast and skilled human resource base, world-class infrastructure, and a robust legal framework”.
Rajnath Singh’s European tour also included a visit to Rome, where he engaged in talks with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. Following their discussions, an Agreement on Cooperation in the field of defence was signed to promote bilateral collaboration in various defence domains, including security and defence policy, research and development, education in the military field, maritime domain awareness, sharing of defence information, and industrial cooperation.
The Defence Minister also seized the opportunity to meet with the CEOs and other top leaders of Italian defence companies, further solidifying international partnerships in the defence sector. Rajnath Singh’s European tour underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its global collaborations and strengthening its defence capabilities.
