India and France undertake Varuna exercise.

Why in news?

• India and France are conducting the 20th edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise “VARUNA – 2022” in the Arabian Sea from March 30, 2022, to April 03, 2022.
• Bilateral naval exer cises between India’s and France’s navies began in 1993. In 2001, the exercise was given the name “Varuna,” and it has since become an essential part of the two countries’ strategic bilateral cooperation.
• The 19th edition of the Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-2021’ was conducted from 25-27 April 2021 in the Arabian Sea.
• Various units from both navies participated in the exercise, including ships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter aircraft, and helicopters.
• These units will work to improve and enhance their maritime operational skills, develop interoperability to conduct maritime security operations, and demonstrate their commitment to the region’s peace, security, and stability as an integrated force.
• The VARUNA series of exercises provides both the navies’ opportunities to learn from each other’s best practices. The exercise sets the stage for operational level understanding between the two navies, highlighting both nations’ shared commitment to the global maritime commons’ security, safety, and freedom.