The visit is a reflection of the growing cooperation between the two navies and enhanced interoperability

In a reflection of the growing cooperation between the two sides, French Navy Ship Aconit was on a goodwill visit to Mumbai from October 28 to November 2.

The ship is one of the five La Fayette Class frigates of the French Navy. The ship's crew had professional and social interactions with personnel of Indian Navy, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.

The visit culminated with an exercise at sea with a warship of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet. The frigate had earlier visited Visakhapatnam in 2015.

The Commanding Officer, Cdr Guyon, called on VAdm Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command and interacted with him over issues of mutual interest.

Over the decades, cooperation between India and France has grown exponentially in various defence related fields. According to the Ministry of Defence, the current visit of FNS Aconit to Mumbai is a reflection of the growing cooperation between the two navies and their enhanced interoperability.

"With peace and stability in the region being of common interest, the two navies are committed to working together towards that goal," the ministry added.