INDO-FRENCH BILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE VARUNA - 14 MAY 2002

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As part of bilateral operational exchanges between the Indian and the French navies, the second of the series of joint naval exercises codenamed `Varuna’, is scheduled to be held off Goa on 14 May 2002.

From the French side, the nuclear powered aircraft carrier, FNS Charles de Gaulle and FNS Cassard, a type F-70 Guided Missile Destroyer and from the Indian side, INS Godavari, a Guided Missile Frigate and INS Ranvijay, a Guided Missile Destroyer will be participating.

The exercises will be witnessed by the Raksha Mantri and the Chief of Naval Staff who will be embarking the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle. This is the first time that a French aircraft carrier is taking part in a joint exercise with the Indian Navy.

The first of the Varuna series of exercises was held in Nov 2001 off Mumbai. The Varuna series of exercises is indicative of the growing bilateral cooperation between Indian and French navies.