Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Indo-French navies bilateral joint exercise 'VARUNA-19' begins 1st May 2019
Indo-French navies bilateral joint exercise 'VARUNA-19' begins 1st May 2019: Details, Aim, Significance, Highlights
India and France are conducting their bilateral naval exercise, 'Varuna-19' on the Arabian Sea off the Goa coast from 1st May to 10th May 2019.
This is the 17th edition of the Indo-French naval exercise 'Varuna-19', it will see the participation of The French Navy’s aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle, 2 destroyers, FNS Forbin, FNS Provence, the frigate FNS Latouche-Treville, the tanker FNS Marne, 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.
Indo-French naval exercise 'Varuna-19' will be conducted in 2 phases, stated as follows:
1. The harbor phase will be conducted at Goa and would include cross-visits, professional interactions, sports events, and discussions.
2. The sea phase would comprise various exercises of maritime operations. The 2nd part of the naval exercise, Varuna 19.2, will be held at May-end in Djibouti.
About Varuna
The bilateral naval exercise started in 1983 and was termed as ‘Varuna’ in 2001. It forms a major part of the Indo-French strategic partnership, symbolizing the strong relations between India and France.
The Joint Strategic Vision of India-French Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region was signed in March 2018 by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during president Emmanuel Macron’s State visit to India.
