Paris [France], July 3 (ANI): The eighth edition of the India-France Joint Military Exercise Shakti-VIII concluded on Thursday with a formal closing ceremony at Camp Larzac in La Cavalerie, marking the culmination of an intensive bilateral training engagement. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability, mutual trust, and tactical coordination between the Indian and French armies, the Indian Army said in a statement.
The Indian contingent, comprising 90 personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles battalion, trained alongside troops from the French Army’s 13ᵉ Demi-Brigade de Légion Étrangère. Over the course of the exercise, both sides conducted mission-oriented drills focused on sub-conventional operations, including combat shooting, urban warfare, obstacle crossing, electronic warfare integration, and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) operations.
A key highlight was the successful execution of a 96-hour continuous field exercise simulating multi-domain scenarios in complex operational settings. The phase tested the endurance, planning skills, and joint decision-making of both contingents under realistic, high-pressure conditions.
India’s Ambassador to France, Sanjeev Singla, visited the troops during the exercise, commending their professionalism and underscoring the growing defence partnership between the two nations. His visit, according to the Indian Embassy in France, significantly boosted troop morale and highlighted the strong diplomatic and military ties.
In a post on X, the Indian Embassy stated: “Ambassador Sanjeev Singla visited the Indian contingent at Lodev during #Shakti2025, interacted with the soldiers, commended their professionalism and dedication, and lauded their role in strengthening Indo-French defence ties.”
The Indian Army hailed Shakti-VIII as a testament to the deepening strategic convergence between India and France. “It has facilitated the exchange of tactical knowledge and operational best practices, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to regional stability, collective security, and defence cooperation,” the statement added.
The French Embassy in India also highlighted the significance of the exercise, calling it a vital opportunity to boost joint operational preparedness for the most challenging combat scenarios under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, conducted in realistic semi-urban terrain.
The Shakti series of exercises, held biennially, forms a key pillar of India-France defence cooperation, reflecting their shared vision for a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region. (ANI)
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