India-Armenia Joint Defence Projects: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan met Armenia’s Chief of the General Staff, Lt General Edvard Asryan, in New Delhi on Tuesday. The two sides talked about joint ventures in the making of military hardware. The Armenian officer was welcomed by General Chauhan and was given a Guard of Honour. The meeting was also described by the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff as a sign that India-Armenia defence relations are moving ahead in a steady way.
The IDS HQ post said, “General Anil Chauhan, CDS, held discussions with Lt General Edvard Asryan, Chief of the General Staff of Armenia, during his official visit to India. The General officer was received by the CDS and was accorded a Guard of Honour.”
The same statement also said “The engagement reflected the steady advancement of India-Armenia Defence Relations. Both sides also explored avenues for joint ventures in the development of military hardware, reaffirming their shared commitment to a robust, future-oriented and mutually beneficial strategic partnership.”
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What Happened During the February Visit?
This New Delhi meeting came after General Chauhan’s four-day visit to Armenia in February. During that trip, he met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The talks were about new chances for cooperation and how to make defence ties stronger. The Armenian Prime Minister said the visit could give fresh energy to ties between the two countries. India and Armenia also discussed the changing security picture around them.
The IDS HQ shared the meeting with the Prime Minister in these words: “General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS, accompanied by the Indian Delegation, interacted with His Excellency Mr Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, exchanging views on the evolving Geopolitical Landscape and prevailing Security Environment. The discussions also highlighted emerging opportunities for collaboration and avenues to further strengthen Bilateral Defence and Strategic Cooperation.”
The Indian delegation also met Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Abisoghomonyan and later held talks with Defence Minister Suren Papkyan. Those meetings covered security issues and other bilateral matters.
The IDS HQ said about the foreign ministry meeting, “General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS, accompanied by the Indian Delegation, interacted with His Excellency Mr Robert Abisoghomonyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Armenia, exchanging perspectives on the security environment and bilateral issues,”.
It also said on the defence minister meeting, “General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, led the Indian Delegation for an office call on with Suren Papkyan, Minister of Defence, The Republic of Armenia. Discussions focused on strengthening Defence Cooperation across a range of security issues concerning both the nations.”
Wider Security
During the Armenia trip, General Chauhan also went to the National Defence Research University, or NDRU. There he spoke to teachers and students about the global security scene, change inside armed forces, and how technology is becoming a major part of power. He also spoke about how war is changing and how modern fighting is moving toward multi-domain operations. IDS HQ said he discussed cyber, electronic warfare, space, and cognitive warfare as new areas of conflict.
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The IDS HQ post on that visit said, “General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, visited the National Defence Research University NDRU, Armenia, where he addressed faculty and students on the evolving global security environment, structural transformation and emergence of technology as a key determinant of power,”.
