The 20th edition of the Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise ‘VARUNA-2022’ is being conducted in the Arabian Sea.
It has become a vital part of the India-France strategic bilateral relationship.
The Indian and French Navies have been conducting bilateral maritime exercises since 1993.
Since 2001, these exercises have been called ‘VARUNA’. This is an annual event.
Exercise INDRA:
The INDRA series of exercises began in 2003 and was conducted as a bilateral naval exercise alternately between India and Russia.
However, the first joint Tri-Services Exercise was conducted in 2017.
Exercise INDRA-21 will further strengthen mutual confidence and interoperability between the Indian & Russian Armies and enable sharing of best practices between the contingents of both countries.
Exercise MAITRI:
Exercise MAITRI is an annual training event that is conducted in India and Thailand alternatively, since 2006.
Against the backdrop of changing facets of global terrorism, this exercise is a significant exercise for both nations as they face security challenges from terrorism.
The scope of this exercise covers company-level joint training on insurgency & counter-terrorism operations in jungles and urban scenarios.
The joint military exercise between the Indian Army (IA) and the Royal Thailand Army (RTA) will give a boost to defence cooperation and bilateral relations between the two nations.
Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI:
Garuda Shakti is a bilateral exercise between the special forces of the armies of India and Indonesia.
This joint military exercise is a part of India and Indonesia's defence cooperation.
The bilateral military exercise between India and Indonesia started in 2012.