For France, India is the country providing security to Indo-Pacific: French

Kochi: Rear Admiral Jacques Fayard of the French Navy said that France looks at India as a trustworthy country providing complete security to the Indo-Pacific region. The Indian Navy is also participating in the La Perouse joint naval exercises between France, the United States, Japan and Australia. It is being said that these exercises that are being held in the Bay of Bengal are a warning for China. Against this background, the statement made by French Rear Admiral Jacques Fayard becomes significant.

French warships have reached the Kochi port to participate in the La Perouse naval exercises. While speaking on this occasion, Rear Admiral Jacques Fayard clarified the French stand regarding the Indo-Pacific. Nearly 1 million French people are living in the Indian Ocean region. France is responsible for its security. Saying that France becomes a part of the sector, Rear Admiral Fayard underlined that France has major interests in this sector.

Rear Admiral Fayard said that France looks at India as a trustworthy country to provide security in the Indo-Pacific region. Simultaneously, Rear Admiral Fayard noted that the cooperation between Indian and French navies is increasing. The French stand is that the international laws should be followed in the Indo-Pacific region, and the sector should have freedom of movement. Saying this, the naval official has indicated that France will not tolerate activities destabilising the sector.

Rear Admiral Fayard claimed that this is why France is organising joint naval exercises in this region. Rear Admiral Fayard is responsible for the activities of the French Navy from the Suez Canal to the strait of Malacca. An expectation expressed regarding India by such an accountable official only shows that the military cooperation between the two countries has strengthened further.