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Indian and French armies are taking part in Exercise SHAKTI-VIII at Camp Larzac in southern France. The drill involves 90 Indian personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and aims to boost joint operations and military cooperation.

JSMM chief Shafi Burfat, speaking from Germany, called Pakistan a fascist state controlled by a Punjabi military elite. He urged global support for historic nations seeking liberation, citing past and present oppression, including the 1971 Bengali crackdown and continued exploitation of non-Punjabi regions.

Held at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie in southern France, the exercise features the participation of 90 personnel, primarily troops from a Jammu and Kashmir Rifles battalion, alongside the French Army's 13e Demi-Brigade de Legion Étrangère.

The Prime Minister, who is currently on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian Nation at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Ibrahim Anwar, also witnessed a show for himself as the community event blended traditional Indian elements along with a Malaysian touch that highlighted the rich cultural ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that a new Indian consulate will soon be opened in Malaysia, further strengthening ties between the two countries, while also lauding the Union government's "historic decision" to extend Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card eligibility to Malaysian citizens of Indian origin, last year, up to the sixth generation.

Primas Deputy President C Krishnan said, "Both countries have a long history. After PM Modi became the Prime Minister, this relationship has grown by leaps and bounds. We, as Malaysian Indians, see that our relationship is far better now. We find it much easier to travel to India than before. Many hurdles have been made easier. We are proud and happy to see this event. Although he is the Indian Prime Minister, we felt like he is one of our own."