New Delhi: – ‘Varun 2021′, the joint naval exercises between the Indian and French navies started in the Arabian Sea. These exercises are held every year between the countries’ navies, and this is the nineteenth year. The exercises will be about air security and anti-submarine warfare. Before this, the French navy held exercises with the Australian navy and will hold it with the Japanese navy in the coming time. Therefore, it is becoming clear that France is consciously increasing its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
A few days ago, the French navy held its ‘La Perouse’ war exercises with the navies of the QUAD countries. After that, the French aircraft carrier, Charles De Galle, is holding war exercises with the Indian navy with the Rafale-M fighter jets. Indian destroyers INS Kolkata, INS Tarkash equipped with guided missiles, and INS Talwar, along with Chetak helicopters, will participate in these exercises named Varun-2021. The exercises which started on Sunday will be held for three days. This will make the cooperation between the Indian and French navy more comprehensive and will also increase the coordination between the two navies.
France has increased its focus on the Indo-Pacific region since the last few months. France has its islands with a population of 1 million Frenchmen in this region. France is increasing its influence in the area, saying that the security of these islands is its responsibility. France is expecting major cooperation from India on this front. French Rear Admiral Fayard recently said that France is looking at India as a trusted country to provide complete security in the Indo-Pacific region. The cooperation between India and France is being developed, keeping Chinese expansionism in view.
France is keen on developing naval cooperation with India, Japan, Australia and the United States, the QUAD countries. Therefore, claims are being made that QUAD will soon become QUAD Plus and France will be included in the group. France also has started moves in that direction. The French navy has started patrolling in the Indo-Pacific region for freedom of international freight movement in this sector.
Therefore, the French cooperation with India is proving vital. Along with India, France is consistently holding war exercises with QUAD members Japan and Australia and a new tripartite front seems to be emerging against the Chinese expansionist policies.
US President Biden took the initiative regarding QUAD and organised an online meeting of the country heads. But the analysts are expressing concerns that, in reality, Biden will not provide the necessary impetus to QUAD, taking some firm decisions against China. Against this background, the increasing investment by an influential country like France in the Indo-Pacific region becomes a significant development.
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