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CDS Gen Anil Chauhan Honors Armenian Genocide Victims During Key Defence Visit

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan during a four-day official visit. The trip is focused on advancing shared strategic interests and strengthening long-term defence and security cooperation between India and Armenia. This follows Armenia's landmark deal to acquire Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems from India, making it the system's first international customer. The visit and defence exports underscore India's growing role as a defence exporter and its deepening strategic partnership with Armenia.

Key Points: India's CDS Visits Armenia, Honors Genocide Victims

  • CDS pays tribute at genocide memorial
  • Visit aims to boost defence collaboration
  • Armenia is first intl buyer of Pinaka rockets
  • Deal part of India's defence export push
3 min read

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan lays wreath at Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan during a visit to enhance bilateral defence ties.

"honouring the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives in the genocide - Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff"

Yerevan, Feb 2

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, who is on a four-day official visit to Armenia, on Monday laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum in Yerevan, honouring the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who were massacred.

"General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS, laid a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Memorial & Museum in Yerevan, honouring the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives in the genocide. The Memorial's symbolic structures and the adjoining museum stand as a poignant testament to human suffering, resilience and the universal importance of remembrance, justice and peace," Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff stated in a post on X.

The Indian defence delegation led by General Chauhan arrived in Armenia on Sunday for a four-day official visit. The visit of Indian defence delegation marks an important step in taking forward shared strategic interests and enhancing long-term defence and security collaboration between the two nations.

"An Indian defence delegation led by General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS, reached Republic of Armenia on a four days official visit on 01 Feb. The visit marks an important step in taking forward shared strategic interests and enhancing long-term defence and security collaboration between the two Nations," Headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff posted on X.

"The delegation was warmly received in Yerevan by Ms Nilakshi Saha Sinha, Ambassador of India to Armenia and Major General Temur Shahnazaryan, Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia," it added.

Just two weeks ago, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first tranche of guided Pinaka rockets destined for Armenia. The systems were manufactured by Pune-based Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL).

Armenia had signed a contract worth around Rs 2,000 crore in September 2022 for the acquisition of four Pinaka rocket system batteries.

The deal includes unguided, extended-range and guided variants of the system. Armenia also became the first international customer for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, which has been developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The agreement marked a key moment in India's broader push for Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing and its stated ambition to emerge as a significant global defence exporter.

Deliveries of the initial Pinaka unguided rocket systems began in July 2023 and were completed by late 2024, paving the way for subsequent consignments of advanced variants.

Speaking earlier on the exports, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the shipment of Pinaka missiles reflected the growing strength and maturity of India's defence industry.

He said the development demonstrated India's expanding export potential, adding that the country was no longer only an importer of defence equipment but was steadily moving towards becoming a major exporter on the global stage.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's heartening to see India taking such a thoughtful diplomatic step. Paying respects at a genocide memorial shows depth and empathy in foreign policy, which is just as important as the strategic defence deals being discussed.
V
Vikram M
The Pinaka export is the real story here! Rs 2000 crore deal and becoming a key defence exporter is a massive achievement. This is what Aatmanirbhar Bharat looks like in action. More power to DRDO and our defence industry.
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Priyanka N
While the defence collaboration is excellent, I hope our foreign policy remains balanced. The wreath-laying is a solemn act, but we must ensure our strategic partnerships don't get entangled in historical disputes of other regions. Just a thought.
R
Rohit P
Jai Hind! From buying defence equipment to selling our own - what a journey. The Pinaka system is a beast. Armenia choosing it is a huge validation. General Chauhan's visit solidifies this new partnership. Good move.
M
Michael C
Interesting development. India building defence ties in the Caucasus region. The symbolic act at the memorial is a smart diplomatic touch that builds goodwill before getting down to business. Shows a mature approach.

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