Three Indian warhips today reached the Toulon Naval Base in France for a three-day visit, in continuation of the Indian Navy's overseas deployment in the Mediterranean Sea and West Coast of Africa.
"The warships, INS Mumbai, Trishul and Aditya, were warmly received by the officials of the French Navy at Toulon Naval Base in coordination with the Indian Embassy," an official spokesperson said.
The visiting ships are a part of the Indian Navy's Western Naval Command and the Task Group is headed by Rear Admiral R B Pandit, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Fleet, who is flying his flag on the guided missile destroyer, INS Mumbai.
"On completion of the visit at Toulon, the bilateral exercise Varuna between the Indian Navy and the French Navy is scheduled from April 24 to 30. The Varuna series of exercises began in 2000 and have grown into an institutionalised form of interaction between the two navies," the official said.
The last such exercise was held off the Indian coast, the spokesperson said in a statement here.
"The warships' visit to Toulon seeks to underscore India's peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly and like-minded countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen the existing bonds between India and France," he said.
"The visit of Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, to France, coinciding with the visit of the Indian Navy ships to France and conduct of the exercise Varuna, amply demonstrate the Indian Navy's engagement with the French Navy," he said.
Luthra is scheduled to visit the French frigate FNS Auvergne, a French nuclear submarine unit, as well as an underwater weapons facility. He would also call on senior official in France, including Vice Admiral Charles-Henri du Che, Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Sea Area (CECMED).
"With the establishment of the strategic partnership with France in 1998, there has been significant progress in all areas of bilateral co-operation including defence, nuclear energy and space. A high level committee for defence cooperation between the two countries at the level of Defence Secretaries met in Paris in 2015. Bilateral exercises such as Garuda, Shakti and Varuna have been a regular feature between the two nations," he said.