Varuna 19.1: Indo-French joint naval exercise commences off Goa coast

Indo-French joint naval exercise, Varuna 19.1, commences Wednesday off the coast of Goa, Navy officials said. Aimed at developing inter-operability between the two forces in dealing with various security challenges, the first phase of the bilateral exercise is being held from 1st to 10th May 19.

The 17th edition of the mega naval exercise includes the participation of the French Navy's aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle, two destroyers, FNS Forbin and FNS Provence, the frigate FNS Latouche-Treville, the tanker FNS Marne and a nuclear submarine. From the Indian side, the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, destroyer INS Mumbai, the Teg-class frigate, INS Tarkash, the Shishumar- class submarine, INS Shankul, and the Deepak- class fleet tanker, INS Deepak, will be participating in this exercise.

The exercise will be conducted in two phases. The harbour phase at Goa would include cross-visits, professional interactions and discussions and sports events. The sea phase would comprise various exercises across the spectrum of maritime operations. The second part of the naval exercise, Varuna 19.2, is scheduled to be held at the end of May in Djibouti, the statement said.

The exercise will be conducted in two phases. The harbour phase at Goa would include cross-visits, professional interactions and discussions and sports events. The sea phase would comprise various exercises across the spectrum of maritime operations. The bilateral exercise aims at developing interoperability between the two navies and fostering mutual cooperation by learning from each other's best practices to conduct joint operations.

India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations. As early as the 1980s France wished to give greater scope to its relations with India. This closer bilateral relationship was concretized with the establishment of a strategic partnership in 1998, and a strategic dialogue a year later.

The leaders of both nations desired in March 2018 to give a fresh impetus to the maritime security cooperation, which was initiated with the launch of the first bilateral naval exercise, Varuna, in 1983.