Since 1998, India has been France's key strategic partner, with strong Indo-French military cooperation reflected in various joint exercises, including Shakti (land), Varuna (naval), and Garuda (air).
As part of Mission CLEMENCEAU 25, the French Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is currently deployed in the Indian Ocean, consisting of the aircraft carrier FNS Charles De Gaulle, its embarked air wing, and escort vessels (frigates and supply ships). The CSG is making stopovers in Goa and Kochi starting from January 4, 2025.
The CSG is engaged in joint training operations with regional partners, particularly India, before continuing to the Indonesian region for Exercise La Perouse and then to the Pacific for Exercise Pacific Steller.
Since 1998, India has been France's key strategic partner, with strong Indo-French military cooperation reflected in various joint exercises, including Shakti (land), Varuna (naval), and Garuda (air). Additionally, French Navy vessels have made 16 operational stopovers in India since 2022.
During Mission CLEMENCEAU 25, the Charles De Gaulle CSG and Indian Navy ships will take part in the 42nd edition of the Varuna bilateral exercise. This aeronaval training focuses on improving interoperability between the two navies and preparing their crews to respond to multi-dimensional threats (air, surface, and submarine) in a coalition context.
As Indian Ocean resident nations, France and India frequently collaborate to enhance maritime security in the region. Since 2008, France has been a member of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), initiated by India and comprising 25 navies from Indian Ocean countries. The symposium aims to increase collective maritime effectiveness, addressing issues such as illegal trafficking, illegal fishing, search and rescue operations, and pollution. France held the presidency of this forum from 2021 to 2023.
In the Indian Ocean, France actively participates in several missions, including the European ATALANTA operation against piracy and drug trafficking, the international naval coalition Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 for combating illicit trafficking, and more recently the European Union’s ASPIDES operation, which ensures maritime safety and freedom of navigation from Suez to Hormuz.
Emmanuel P., Defence Attaché, French Embassy in India, shared in his sm post. " French Navy Clemenceau 25 mission is now stopping for a few days in Goa after more than one month at sea. Not less than seven among the most advanced French Navy ships including Aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, multi-purposes frigates, a Barracuda class submarine and the recently commissioned supply ship FNS Jacques Chevallier have reached Goa and Kochi yesterday, showing the strong bounds and high level of confidence between the French and the Indian Navies." He added, "This large-scale stopover has already given the opportunity to conduct Subject Matters Experts Exchanges and will continue with others engagements and activities at sea in the coming days."
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