VARUNA–15. French Navy destroyer Jean de Vienne during the exercise with Indian Navy destroyer INS Mumbai and frigate INS Gomati (F21).

The annually held Varuna naval exercise is an integral part of France–India strategic relationship in the 21st century and consists of naval cooperation drills between the French Navy and the Indian Navy. The joint-exercises are held either in the Indian Ocean or Mediterranean Sea with the aim of improving Indo-French coordination on capabilities like cross-deck operations, replenishment-at-sea, minesweeping, anti-submarine warfare and information sharing. It was first started in 1983, though given its present name in 2001.[1] France is Littoral State of the Indian Ocean through the French Overseas region of Réunion, Mayotte and Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Varuna 2015 included a French battle-group led by French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) and carrying aero-naval version of Rafale aircraft operating alongside the Western Naval Command.[2] The latest edition of Varuna exercise, which also saw the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership, was held between 16 and 20 January 2023 along the Goa coast.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "France, India begin 'Varuna' naval exercise off Goa coast". The Economic Times. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  2. ↑ "Indo-French Naval Exercise Varuna 2015 concludes". SP's MAI. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  3. ↑ "Exercise Varuna 2023". French Embassy in New Delhi. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
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