India–France Naval Exercises Signal Deepening Strategic Ties in Indo-Pacific

India–France naval exercises to boost Indo-Pacific security. Varuna & La Perouse drills highlight deepening maritime cooperation.

New Delhi — France is set to significantly increase its maritime presence in the Indian Ocean this month by deploying its Carrier Battle Group and participating in two high-profile naval exercises: the multilateral La Perouse drill and the bilateral Exercise Varuna with India. These operations underscore the growing strategic cooperation between Paris and New Delhi amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

According to senior Indian Navy officials, the joint drills reflect “a maturing partnership built on shared maritime priorities,” including freedom of navigation, maritime domain awareness, and regional stability.

Naval Activity: France’s Strategic Focus on the Indian Ocean

April marks a particularly active month for the India–France naval partnership, as the French Navy's Carrier Strike Group—led by the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle—enters the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

France is participating in:

• Exercise Varuna, a bilateral Indo-French naval drill in the western Indian Ocean, and
• Exercise La Perouse, a Quad-focused maritime exercise in the Bay of Bengal involving India, Australia, Japan, and the United States.

These deployments highlight France’s continued emphasis on its Indo-Pacific strategy, which stretches from the eastern coast of Africa to the Pacific islands and encompasses critical economic and strategic interests.

ALSO READ | In Snub To China, India's Naval Alliance Now Includes Australia: 10 Facts

Varuna: Strengthening Bilateral Maritime Interoperability

The 23rd edition of Exercise Varuna, scheduled for the last week of April, will take place off the western coast of India. Jointly led by the Indian Navy and the French Navy, the drill will focus on enhancing interoperability in carrier operations, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and maritime surveillance.

Key participants from the Indian side include the INS Vikrant, Kalvari-class submarines, and MiG-29K fighter jets. France is fielding assets from its Carrier Battle Group, including the Rafale-M naval fighter aircraft.

“The scale and scope of Varuna have grown significantly in recent years, reflecting the increasing trust and strategic alignment between the two navies,” said Commodore Anil Jai Singh (Retd.), Vice President of the Indian Maritime Foundation.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exercise was limited in 2024. This year marks a return to full operational engagement, with expanded air assets and joint tactical training.

ALSO READ | Indian Navy Conducts Missile Drills Near Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions

La Perouse: A Quad-Plus Exercise in the Bay of Bengal

Following Varuna, the Indian Navy will join Exercise La Perouse, scheduled from April 5–7 in the Bay of Bengal. The French-led multilateral drill brings together Quad member states—India, the US, Japan, and Australia—with additional European partners in some editions.

Indian Navy officials describe La Perouse as a crucial platform for “building multilateral synergy in high-end naval operations and maintaining a rules-based maritime order.”

This marks the first time the Indian Navy will participate in both Varuna and La Perouse in the same month, signifying India’s growing role in shaping Indo-Pacific security architecture.

ALSO READ | With Focus On Peace and Stability in Indian Ocean, Navy Conducts Largest War Games

A Strategic Arc: France’s Indo-Pacific Commitment

France, which has territories and over one million citizens spread across the Indo-Pacific, maintains a permanent military presence in the region. It was the first country to appoint an ambassador to the Indo-Pacific, and continues to strengthen defence partnerships with key regional powers.

“France’s growing engagement in the Indian Ocean reflects not only its own interests but also aligns with the broader European outlook on the Indo-Pacific,” said Commodore Singh. “The strategic alignment with India is natural, given the shared commitment to maritime security, international law, and multilateralism.”

France is also an observer at the Indian Ocean Region Information Fusion Centre (IFC-IOR), located near New Delhi. It was one of the first Western countries to engage deeply with India post the 1998 nuclear tests, defying the global sanctions trend.

ALSO READ | Is China Building a "String of Pearls" Around India? The Truth Will Shock You!

Defence Cooperation Beyond Exercises

Beyond naval drills, India–France defence cooperation has expanded into technology transfer and high-value defence acquisitions. The success of platforms like the Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene-class submarines (Project 75) underlines the trust and depth of this relationship.

France is now vying for India’s Project 75(I) submarine programme and has offered civilian nuclear technology as part of broader strategic collaboration.

“France is strongly positioning itself as a key partner in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative. However, tangible results in terms of advanced technology transfer remain to be seen,” Commodore Singh noted.

ALSO READ | India ups ante against China, invites Australia to join Malabar drill

Geopolitical Timing and Regional Implications

The joint naval exercises come on the heels of high-level diplomatic engagements, including the Quad Leaders’ Summit and visits by senior defence officials from the US and South Korea. The timing, experts say, is not coincidental.

“With China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and growing naval activity in the Indian Ocean, the Indo-French alignment represents a broader regional pushback to unilateralism,” said a senior defence analyst.

The drills also reinforce the concept of an "Arc of Maritime Democracies", aimed at preserving a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, especially in contested waters.

ALSO READ | Indian, Australian navies come together for two-day PASSEX, exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability

Conclusion: A Partnership Anchored in Strategic Depth

As the India–France strategic partnership matures, naval cooperation has become a cornerstone of bilateral ties. From joint exercises and technology sharing to regional diplomatic coordination, both countries are laying the groundwork for long-term maritime collaboration.

With France playing an increasingly assertive role in Indo-Pacific affairs and India emerging as a pivotal maritime actor, their coordinated presence in the region is poised to become a stabilizing force amid uncertain geopolitical currents.