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India-France Counter-Terror Pact: NSG and GIGN Boost Elite Forces Cooperation

India and France have taken a significant step in strengthening their counter-terrorism cooperation. The National Security Guard and France's GIGN signed a Letter of Intent in Paris to enhance collaboration between the elite units. This agreement will facilitate the exchange of expertise, experience, and specialized counter-terror skills. The partnership reflects the deepening strategic relationship between the two nations across multiple security domains.

Key Points: India France Strengthen Counter-Terror Ties with NSG GIGN Pact

  • NSG and GIGN sign agreement to exchange counter-terror expertise and specialized skills
  • Partnership aims to tackle emerging security threats through enhanced collaboration
  • Agreement strengthens India-France strategic partnership covering multiple security domains
  • Both nations to deepen synergy in handling complex counter-terrorism operations
2 min read

India, France strengthen counter-terror ties with NSG-GIGN Letter of Intent in Paris

India and France enhance counter-terror cooperation as NSG and GIGN sign Letter of Intent in Paris to share expertise and tackle emerging security threats.

"India & France boosted their counter-terror partnership as DG NSG Shri Brighu Srinivasan & GIGN Commander Colonel Benoit Villeminoz signed a Letter of Intent - NSG Official Statement"

Paris, November 20

India and France strengthened their counter-terrorism cooperation as Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG), Brighu Srinivasan, and Commander of France's GIGN, Colonel Benoit Villeminoz, signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) in Paris.

The agreement, signed on Wednesday, aims to enhance collaboration between the two elite counter-terror units by facilitating the exchange of expertise, experience, and specialised counter-terror skills, the NSG stated in a post on X.

The LoI will enable both nations to deepen their synergy in tackling emerging security threats and to bolster joint capabilities in handling complex counter-terrorism operations.

"India & France boosted their counter-terror partnership as DG NSG Shri Brighu Srinivasan & GIGN Commander Colonel Benoit Villeminoz signed a Letter of Intent in Paris on 19 Nov 2025, enabling deeper synergy in sharing expertise, experience & specialised Counter Terror skills," the post read.

India and France have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations and share a deep and enduring Strategic Partnership (SP) covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation, which involves a strategic component.

Launched in January 1998, India's first-ever Strategic Partnership embodied the core vision of both countries to enhance their respective strategic independence through strengthened bilateral cooperation. Defence & security, civil nuclear matters and space constitute the principal pillars of this strategic cooperation and now include a strong Indo-Pacific component. In recent years, the partnership has broadened to include maritime security, digitalisation, cyber security and advanced computing, counter-terrorism, climate change, renewable and sustainable growth and development, among others.

India and France have a strong, robust defence partnership, with an increasing 'Atmanirbharata' element. Defence cooperation between the two sides is reviewed under the Annual Defence Dialogue (Defence Minister-level) and the High Committee on Defence Cooperation (Secretary-level).

The 5th Annual Ministerial-level Annual Defence Dialogue was held in October 2023 in Paris. The HCDC meeting was held in Paris in November 2021. Major ongoing defence-related projects include the purchase of Rafale aircraft and the P-75 Scorpene Project. Other potential new areas of collaboration being pursued include the codevelopment of next-generation fighter-plane engines. An office of the DRDO was also opened at the Embassy in 2023 to strengthen technology cooperation between India and France.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I appreciate the strategic partnership, I hope this leads to concrete results on the ground. We've seen many such agreements but terrorism continues to be a threat. Hope this brings real change.
A
Aditya G
France has been a reliable partner for India. From Rafale jets to counter-terror cooperation, this relationship is delivering real security benefits. Good to see our forces learning from each other's experiences.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has lived in both countries, this makes me feel safer. Both nations face similar security challenges and sharing expertise makes perfect sense. Well done!
K
Karthik V
The NSG commandos are already world-class. Now with French expertise in urban counter-terror operations, our capabilities will reach new heights. This is strategic thinking at its best!
M
Michael C
Important development for regional security. Hope this cooperation extends to intelligence sharing and cyber security as well. The Indo-Pacific region needs such strong partnerships.

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