CDS Anil Chauhan Pays Tribute at Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, on a four-day official visit to Armenia, paid tribute at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum in Yerevan on Monday. He honoured the memory of 1.5 million Armenians massacred during the genocide, highlighting the importance of remembrance, justice, and peace.

The Indian defence delegation, led by General Chauhan, was warmly received in Yerevan by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Armenian Deputy Chief of Armed Forces Major General Temur Shahnazaryan. The visit underscores India’s commitment to deepening defence and security collaboration with Armenia.

Just two weeks prior, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first tranche of guided Pinaka rockets for Armenia. The consignment is part of a Rs 2,000 crore deal signed in September 2022 for four Pinaka rocket system batteries, marking Armenia as the first international customer of India’s multi-barrel rocket launcher.

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The Pinaka deal includes unguided, extended-range, and guided variants, reflecting India’s expanding capabilities in defence manufacturing. Initial deliveries of unguided rockets began in July 2023 and were completed by late 2024, paving the way for advanced variants and long-term strategic cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking about the exports, Defence Minister Singh highlighted that shipments of Pinaka rockets demonstrate the growing strength and global reach of India’s defence industry. He emphasized that India is transitioning from a traditional importer to a significant exporter of advanced defence systems, boosting the nation’s self-reliance and global standing.

The visit of General Chauhan is seen as a key step in consolidating bilateral defence ties, exploring future collaborations, and reinforcing India’s position as a trusted partner in global defence exports while respecting historical legacies and shared values.

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