The exercise, a culmination of a series of Indo-French naval ventures initiated in 1998 began with the French fleet moving out of the Arabic-Persian Gulf to be met by the Indian fleet, a French embassy release said in Panaji.
An impressive flypast consisting of four Rafale, five MiG 29-Ks and one Hawkeye was witnessed by Vice Admiral P Ajit Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, Alexandre Ziegler, the French Ambassador to India and nine French Navy dignitaries on board the French Carrier Charles De Gaulle.
"In this edition of Varuna, the French Navy is being represented by ships from the French carrier strike group, including the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, destroyers FNS Forbin and FNS Tourville, supply ship FNS Meuse and nuclear powered submarine FNS Amethyste," Navy officials said in New Delhi.
During the exercises, the Navy's Sea Harriers would operate sorties from the French carrier.
There was no word on the much-anticipated procurement of 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets by India from France.
French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, with about 12 Rafale jets on board, will arrive in India this week to take part in the 10-day naval exercise 'Varuna'.
French naval commander expresses concern over China expanding its maritime influence in the region.
'Chinese leaders rarely receive their foreign guests in cities other than Beijing. Such respect for India!' 'Does it mean that Modi could replicate "the warmth and unconventional way" by sending Indian troops into Tibet, as Xi did in Chumur (Ladakh) when he arrived in India? Of course, Indians are far too polite to do so,' says Claude Arpi.
How will the Modi Sarkar's likely return affect other nations?
'Make in India' will be central to Mr Modi's visit to Europe and Canada. It is difficult to predict what will happen with the Rafale deal, but if it goes through, it will undoubtedly become the 'Mother' of all 'Make in India' projects,' says Claude Arpi.
