Vasco (Goa)
The naval exercise between Indian and France ‘Varuna-18’ began off-Goa coast today with both the navies exercising to increase the mutual cooperation considering the common global threats.
The exercise which began today would be completed on March 24 while the next two phases of it would be spread over April and May 2018 scheduled to be held off-Chennai and La Reunion Island respectively.
Indian Navy’s Real Admiral M A Hampiholi while formally launching the exercise said that Varuna-18 would be conducted in three sea areas including Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and South Western Indian Ocean.
He said that the first phase being conducted in the Arabian Sea will see participation of French Submarine and frigate Jean de Vienne from the French side.
“The Indian side will include the destroyer INS Mumbai, frigate INS Trikand with their integral helicopters, IN submarine Kalvari, P8-I and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft as well as the Mig 29-k fighter aircrafts,” he said.
Hampiholi said that “it is noteworthy that the progress of Varuna exercises found a mention in the joint statement of the Prime minister of India and President of France on March 10 this year.
The Indian and the French Navies have been conducting bilateral maritime exercises since May 1993, which were formally given the evocative title ‘Varuna’ in the year 2001.
“Under the ambit of the joint strategic vision of India-France cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, maritime cooperation between india and France will be crucial in order to maintain the safety of international sea lanes for unimpeded commerce and communications in accordance with the international law, for countering maritime terrorism and piracy, for building maritime domain awareness, for capacity building and for greater coordination in regional and international fora in the region,” he said.
Hampiholi said that the cooperation is envisaged to improve further with the agreement between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of France for the provision of reciprocal logistics support between their armed forces, which seeks to extend access to logistical support facilities for Indian and French armed forces on reciprocal basis.
Real Admiral Didier Piaton who is heading the French side for the exercises said that India is the major partner of France in the Indian Ocean. “Maritime security is a priority of our defence and security policy, alongside with the fight against terrorism,” he said.
The French participation to the Indian Ocean Naval symposium created in the year 2008 by the Indian navy is a noteworthy illustration. Our maritime partnership was deepened by the signature of a bilateral agreement on January 18, 2017 which ensures that sharing of unclassified information on maritime traffic and enhancing our knowledge of maritime issues in the Indian ocean region, Piaton added.
