India-France joint military Exercise Shakti-VIII concluded on July 3, 2025, at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie in France, marking the successful completion of an intensive bilateral military engagement. The joint drill, hosted under the long-standing defence partnership between India and France, culminated with a formal closing ceremony and demonstrated enhanced military interoperability, mutual trust, and operational synergy between the two nations.
This eighth edition of India-France joint military Exercise Shakti-VIII brought together 90 Indian Army personnel, primarily from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles battalion, and soldiers from the French Army’s prestigious 13e Demi-Brigade de Légion Étrangère. Together, the contingents executed a series of sub-conventional, mission-oriented drills, showcasing advanced tactical collaboration.
96-Hour Field Simulation Showcased Multi-Domain Coordination
One of the standout features of the India-France joint military Exercise Shakti-VIII was a 96-hour-long continuous field training simulation. This exhaustive phase was designed to test endurance, joint planning, and command decision-making under high-pressure, multi-domain operational environments.
Drills conducted included combat shooting, urban warfare, obstacle navigation, Electronic Warfare (EW) integration, and Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) operations. These simulations reflected real-time combat scenarios in semi-urban terrain, aligning with contemporary sub-conventional warfare trends and United Nations Chapter VII mandates.
The Indian Army noted in its official statement that these drills played a crucial role in exchanging operational best practices and tactical knowledge while further reinforcing the joint preparedness of both forces.
Ambassador Sanjeev Singla’s Visit Boosted Troop Morale
During India-France joint military Exercise Shakti-VIII, India’s Ambassador to France and Monaco, Sanjeev Singla, visited the Indian contingent stationed at Lodev. He interacted with the troops, appreciated their professionalism, and highlighted their vital role in deepening Indo-French defence ties.
The Indian Embassy in France posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Mr. Sanjeev Singla, Ambassador of India to France & Monaco, visited the Indian contingent at Lodev during #SHAKTI 2025. He commended their dedication and lauded their role in strengthening Indo-French defence ties.”
His presence not only elevated the spirit of the personnel but also symbolized India’s strong diplomatic commitment to France in the field of strategic and defence collaboration.
India-France Joint Military Exercise Shakti-VIII: A Pillar of Strategic Convergence
In its closing note, the Indian Army emphasized that India-France joint military Ex ercise Shakti-VIII is a clear testament to the growing strategic convergence between New Delhi and Paris. The exercise further reaffirms both countries’ commitment to regional stability, collective security, and defence cooperation at a global level.
The French Embassy in India also recognized the importance of the exercise, stating:
“Exercise SHAKTI was a vital opportunity for Indian and French military personnel to boost joint operational preparedness for facing the toughest combat situations in a sub-conventional environment… while strengthening ties with a strategic partner.”
Enhancing Operational Preparedness & Diplomatic Synergy
As both India and France continue to engage in wide-ranging defence dialogues and collaborative missions, the India-France joint military Exercise Shakti-VIII reflects not only tactical progress but also long-term strategic alignment. The success of this edition highlights the necessity of such cross-training platforms to ensure effective responses to emerging global threats, enhance joint peacekeeping operations, and facilitate swift coordination in crisis scenarios.
These bilateral exercises, held alternately in India and France since their inception, have become a hallmark of the Indo-French defence cooperation roadmap.
The successful culmination of the India-France joint military Exercise Shakti-VIII reinforces the shared vision of both nations to build a secure, resilient, and cooperative international defence ecosystem. From real-time operational drills to high-level diplomatic interaction, this edition of Exercise Shakti symbolizes a mature, evolving military partnership that’s ready to meet 21st-century challenges.
As the global strategic landscape shifts, such engagements will play a critical role in shaping defence readiness, multi-nation synergy, and security diplomacy between like-minded nations.
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