India–Armenia Defence Ties Deepen as CDS General Anil Chauhan Leads High-Level Delegation to Yerevan

An Indian defence delegation led by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has arrived in Armenia on a four-day official visit, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral defence ties and expanding long-term security cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, the delegation reached Armenia on 1 February. The visit is aimed at advancing shared strategic interests and reinforcing sustained collaboration in defence and security. It reflects India’s growing engagement with Armenia in the defence domain and underscores the importance both nations place on long-term strategic cooperation.

Upon arrival in Yerevan, the Indian delegation was warmly received by India’s Ambassador to Armenia, Nilakshi Saha Sinha, along with the Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, Tigran Shahnazaryan.

This visit is part of an ongoing series of defence engagements between India and Armenia. It follows the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Defence Cooperation held on 23 October 2025 in Hyderabad, Telangana, where both sides held detailed discussions on enhancing bilateral defence relations.

Sharing details of the JWG meeting on social media, the Ministry of Defence stated that India and Armenia deliberated on a wide range of issues, including defence cooperation, defence industrial collaboration, and other areas of mutual interest in the security sector. The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Joint Secretary (Independent Charge) Vishwesh Negi, while the Armenian side was headed by Levon Ayvazyan, Chief of the Policy and International Military Cooperation Department of Armenia’s Ministry of Defence.

Beyond defence cooperation, these engagements are part of a broader diplomatic outreach between the two countries. This was also reflected in the presence of India’s Foreign Secretary (West), Sibi George, at Armenia’s National Day celebrations on 1 October, where he represented India and reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to the long-standing friendship between the two nations.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that India–Armenia relations are rooted in history and have been further strengthened through recent high-level interactions between the leadership of both countries. In a statement shared on X, the ministry noted that Foreign Secretary (West) Sibi George reiterated India’s dedication to the historically established and enduring partnership, built on renewed momentum from recent top-level exchanges.

Together, these developments signal a steady deepening of India–Armenia relations, with defence cooperation emerging as a key pillar of their evolving strategic partnership.