Army Chiefto Visit France, UK

New Delhi, June 21 (UNI) Seeking to lend further impetus to the existing defence relationship and broadbase it further into mutually beneficial partnership, Army Chief General JJ Singh will visit France and the UK later this month.

According to an official spokesperson here, the visits to these two countries by Gen JJ Singh -- who is also currently the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee -- comes at a time when India's defence cooperation with these important European countries has been at ''an all-time high''.

The joint activities that the Services are undertaking with France and the UK include visits, joint exercises, training exchanges, equipment procurement and participation in seminars and conferences.

During his official visits to France and UK -- from June 24 to July 2, General Singh will interact with senior military and civilian defence officilas and discuss various contemporary defence-related issues.

In addition, visits to important Joint Service bases and Operational HQs have also been planned.

The Army Chief will pay homage at Neuve Chappell in France, a memorial to the Indian Soldiers who laid down their lives during the World Wars.

Gen Singh has also been invited to address the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London on 'Indian Armed Forces: Present and Future Perspective'.

UNI