NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy today began a joint maritime exercise with the French Navy at the Mediterranean sea to further deepen combat coordination between the two navies.
Guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai, stealth frigate INS Trishul and fleet tanker INS Aditya are taking part in the ‘Varuna’ exercise which will continue till April 30.
The ships are part of the Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and West Coast of Africa and they arrived at Toulon port on southern France’s Mediterranean coast earlier today.
The ‘Varuna’ series of exercises began in 2000 and have grown into an institutionalised form of interaction between the two navies.
“The current visit seeks to underscore India’s peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly and like-minded countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen the existing bonds between India and France,” navy spokesperson Capt. D K Sharma said. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel