Indian Navy to take part in French Naval Exercise in Bay of Bengal along with other QUAD member countries

Source : News Bharati

Image Credit : News Bharati

India will participate in France-led naval drill La Perouse for the first time in the Bay of Bengal next month. Australia, Japan and the US will also participate in La Perouse, but India’s first-ever participation is seen as a significant step. The exercise is scheduled between April 5 and 7. 

Indian Navy band welcomes two French Navy ships -- assault helicopter carrier Tonnerre (pic 1) & Surcouf frigate (pic 3) at Kochi Port. The ships will sail to Bay of Bengal for France-led 'La Pérouse' joint exercise with QUAD members India, Japan, Australia & US from April 5-7. pic.twitter.com/XBCNKaZadt

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

After La Perouse, another important naval exercise, the India-French Varuna exercise, will also take place. This time, it will also include the United Arab Emirates. The strategic relationship between France and India, which has been on an upward trajectory ever since France was supportive of India’s nuclear tests in 1998 when most of the western world’s first reaction was to impose sanctions, has expanded considerably in the last two decades.

To lead the naval exercise 'La Perouse' with QUAD members' Navies, French Navy's amphibious assault helicopter carrier Tonnerre and Surcouf frigate have arrived at Kochi Port on Tuesday. An Indian Navy band welcomed the ships with senior officers of the Indian Navy also present at the ceremony.

  The ships will make the port call for three days before moving to 'La Perouse'. Tonnerre carries more than 600 officers and cadets including 150 freshly inducted young cadets who will be participating in the exercise as the final phase of their training.

India along with the US, Japan, and Australia conducted a 'Malabar' naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal in November 2020. Navies of all four countries carried out anti-submarine warfare operations and naval maneuvers at sea. Indian Navy's Ranvijay, Shivalik, Shakti, Sukanya, and submarine Sindhuraj exercised these operations with USS John S McCain, HMAS Ballarat, and JMSDF Ship JS Onami.