Nine Navies hold joint drills in strategic straits between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific

Having the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force join in the hands of the people is swift to constitute the companionship and interoperability fight against the French Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on India’s Western Seaboard. The exercise, which entailed elaborate sea exercise in tandem with the Indian Navy and joint airborne operations, came as proof of the escalating defense partnership between the two nations. French naval ships also visited Kochi, Kerala, this certainly helped to step up cooperation between the two navies.

Key Points

Maritime Partnership Exercise

• INS Mormugao and IAF aircraft during Exercise with French Carrier Strike Group off the Western Fleet.

• The exercise comprised a series of diverse maritime drills among which the air operations represented the elements of either separate Indian and French naval force’s professional interoperability.

French Naval Ships in Kochi

• The visit of French ships FS Forbin and FS Alsace, part of the CSG, to Kochi, marked an important phase in the ongoing naval cooperation between India and France.

• The French ships’ presence contributed towards the improvement of operational interactions and brought cooperation to new levels, such as professional routines that include cross-ship calls and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) and their purpose is to improve operational efficiency in the approaches used by the militaries of the two countries.

Strategic Bilateral Relationship

• India and France have been strategic partners in defense since 1998 with well-publicized exercises like Shakti (land forces) Varuna (naval) and Garuda (air forces).

• The visit and exercise and further increase collaboration between the two nations, and enhance defense cooperation between the two nations.

Mission CLEMENCEAU 25

• The French Carrier Strike Group consisting of the aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle docked the Indian shores in the ongoing “Mission CLEMENCEAU 25”.

• On this operation, the French CSG used several ports in India such as Goa and Kochi increasing operation in the region.

Ensuring Maritime Safety

• India and France being the resident states of the Indian Ocean join hands to protect the security and stability of the region.

• It also deepens regional maritime security and cements their joint responsibility in this important theater of world affairs.

Conclusion

The Maritime Partnership Exercise between the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and French Navy depicts the existing and progressed defense cooperation between both nations India and France. Now, through combined efforts and experiences sharing in training and undertaking operations, the relationship between the two states has improved and deepened their military cooperation, which has created a firmer basis for their mutual commitment to security in the Indian Ocean region. The Economic Cooperation between the two countries is a continuation of which such strategic partnership is vital amid a growing insecurity in the global world at this century.