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The India-France strategic partnership has matured over 27 years, with a strong emphasis on defence cooperation
In a significant display of maritime partnership, the French Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, conducted joint naval exercises with the Indian Navy in Goa and Kochi last week. This collaboration is part of the Clemenceau 25 mission, a French-led initiative to promote a free and secure Indo-Pacific region through strengthened naval ties and interoperability.
Strategic Partnership in Action
The joint exercise underscores the growing defence partnership between India and France, which has flourished since the establishment of their strategic partnership in 1998. Over the years, both nations have conducted numerous bilateral exercises, such as Shakti on land, Garuda in the air, and Varuna at sea.
The French CSG, which departed from Toulon, France, on November 28, 2024, includes a formidable fleet comprising three frigates, a supply ship, a nuclear attack submarine, and several foreign escort ships.
Joint Operations and Drills
The joint exercise between the Indian and French navies focused on enhancing interoperability, maritime security, and operational readiness. "These professional interactions are a hallmark of strategic #bilateral relationship and symbolise high degree of professionalism & #interoperability between the navies," the Indian Navy Spokesperson stated on social media platform X.
At Sea Manoeuvres: The French destroyer and the Indian frigate INS Mormugao performed tactical evolution manoeuvres, showcasing their seamless coordination.
Aerial Operations: Indian Sukhoi and Jaguar fighter jets participated in sorties alongside Rafale Marines from the French Navy, conducting anti-aircraft drills.
Cross-Deck Operations: Helicopters from both navies conducted cross-deck maneuvers, demonstrating high levels of operational synergy.
Replenishment-at-Sea: The French replenishment tanker FNS Jacques Chevallier refueled INS Mormugao.
Mission Clemenceau 25 and Regional Focus
Mission Clemenceau 25 spans the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean, demonstrating France's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. After completing its exercises in India, the French CSG has set course for the Indonesian arc, where it will participate in Exercise La Perouse, a multilateral maritime drill.
An Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft, part of the French Navy’s deployed assets, made a logistical stopover in India before heading to Indonesia. The stopover, facilitated by India, underscores the strong ties between the two nations and their ability to support each other’s operational needs.
The collaboration also sets the stage for the 42nd edition of Exercise Varuna, a bilateral naval drill that has been a cornerstone of Indo-French naval cooperation since 1983. The French CSG will return to the Indian Ocean under Mission Clemenceau 25 to deploy its full assets alongside Indian forces during this exercise.
Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific Region
The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a critical theater for global trade and security. Both India and France share a vision for maintaining stability and ensuring freedom of navigation in the region.
The Admiral commanding the French CSG and the French Joint Forces Commander in the Indian Ocean held discussions with their Indian counterparts on topics including Indo-Pacific strategy, bilateral defense cooperation, and the significance of joint operations.
India and France’s strategic partnership has matured over 27 years, with a strong emphasis on defense cooperation. Since 2022 alone, French Navy ships have made 16 stopovers in Indian ports, reinforcing logistical and operational ties.
These collaborations are not limited to maritime activities. On land, the Shakti exercise enhances the armies’ counter-terrorism capabilities, while Garuda fosters aerial combat readiness. Together, these exercises symbolize a comprehensive and multi-domain approach to security cooperation.
The ongoing joint exercises with the Charles de Gaulle-led CSG highlight the commitment of both nations to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. With the Varuna exercise scheduled later this year, Indo-French defense ties are set to deepen further.
The joint naval exercises between India and France are a testament to their enduring strategic partnership and shared vision for the Indo-Pacific. By enhancing interoperability, operational readiness, and mutual trust, these drills strengthen the foundation for a secure and collaborative future.
As the French CSG continues its Clemenceau 25 mission across the Indo-Pacific, the partnership between India and France remains a cornerstone of regional security and cooperation, paving the way for a free, open, and inclusive maritime domain.
Strategic Partnership in Action
The joint exercise underscores the growing defence partnership between India and France, which has flourished since the establishment of their strategic partnership in 1998. Over the years, both nations have conducted numerous bilateral exercises, such as Shakti on land, Garuda in the air, and Varuna at sea.
The French CSG, which departed from Toulon, France, on November 28, 2024, includes a formidable fleet comprising three frigates, a supply ship, a nuclear attack submarine, and several foreign escort ships.
Joint Operations and Drills
The joint exercise between the Indian and French navies focused on enhancing interoperability, maritime security, and operational readiness. "These professional interactions are a hallmark of strategic #bilateral relationship and symbolise high degree of professionalism & #interoperability between the navies," the Indian Navy Spokesperson stated on social media platform X.
At Sea Manoeuvres: The French destroyer and the Indian frigate INS Mormugao performed tactical evolution manoeuvres, showcasing their seamless coordination.
Aerial Operations: Indian Sukhoi and Jaguar fighter jets participated in sorties alongside Rafale Marines from the French Navy, conducting anti-aircraft drills.
Cross-Deck Operations: Helicopters from both navies conducted cross-deck maneuvers, demonstrating high levels of operational synergy.
Replenishment-at-Sea: The French replenishment tanker FNS Jacques Chevallier refueled INS Mormugao.
Mission Clemenceau 25 and Regional Focus
Mission Clemenceau 25 spans the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean, demonstrating France's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. After completing its exercises in India, the French CSG has set course for the Indonesian arc, where it will participate in Exercise La Perouse, a multilateral maritime drill.
An Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft, part of the French Navy’s deployed assets, made a logistical stopover in India before heading to Indonesia. The stopover, facilitated by India, underscores the strong ties between the two nations and their ability to support each other’s operational needs.
The collaboration also sets the stage for the 42nd edition of Exercise Varuna, a bilateral naval drill that has been a cornerstone of Indo-French naval cooperation since 1983. The French CSG will return to the Indian Ocean under Mission Clemenceau 25 to deploy its full assets alongside Indian forces during this exercise.
Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific Region
The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a critical theater for global trade and security. Both India and France share a vision for maintaining stability and ensuring freedom of navigation in the region.
The Admiral commanding the French CSG and the French Joint Forces Commander in the Indian Ocean held discussions with their Indian counterparts on topics including Indo-Pacific strategy, bilateral defense cooperation, and the significance of joint operations.
India and France’s strategic partnership has matured over 27 years, with a strong emphasis on defense cooperation. Since 2022 alone, French Navy ships have made 16 stopovers in Indian ports, reinforcing logistical and operational ties.
These collaborations are not limited to maritime activities. On land, the Shakti exercise enhances the armies’ counter-terrorism capabilities, while Garuda fosters aerial combat readiness. Together, these exercises symbolize a comprehensive and multi-domain approach to security cooperation.
The ongoing joint exercises with the Charles de Gaulle-led CSG highlight the commitment of both nations to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. With the Varuna exercise scheduled later this year, Indo-French defense ties are set to deepen further.
The joint naval exercises between India and France are a testament to their enduring strategic partnership and shared vision for the Indo-Pacific. By enhancing interoperability, operational readiness, and mutual trust, these drills strengthen the foundation for a secure and collaborative future.
As the French CSG continues its Clemenceau 25 mission across the Indo-Pacific, the partnership between India and France remains a cornerstone of regional security and cooperation, paving the way for a free, open, and inclusive maritime domain.
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