Two warships of the French Navy, amphibious helicopter carrier FS Dixmude, and the frigate LA Fayette are on visiting Kochi on the occasion of India and France celebrating the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
The visit of the French Navy Ships is scheduled between March 6 and 10 as part of the circumnavigation mission, Jeanne d’Arc mission. It is an annual deployment undertaken by French Navy ships and is aimed at enhancing interoperability between the navies of both countries.
Rear Adm Emmanuel Slaars (ALINDIEN), Capt Emmanuel Mocard, and Lt Cdr Ghislain Deleplanque recently discussed a wide range of issues of maritime cooperation with Rear Admiral J Singh Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, according to the news agency ANI.
During the ongoing visit, the French team visited professional training schools and ships of Southern Naval Command. Cross-training visits and professional and social interaction including sports fixtures were some of the highlights of the visit.
Indo-French Naval cooperation is a key element in strengthening regional maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The French ship's visit to India significantly is a sign of strong bilateral defence ties and strategic partnerships between the two nations.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who visited India between March 1-3 asserted that over the next decades, Paris will continue to stand “side by side, shoulder to shoulder” with New Delhi.
“As we celebrate through this year, the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France, now is the time to show even greater ambition. And, you will see soon what I mean by that, it will be quite visible,” said Colonna.
“Over the past 25 years, we have sided with India for the protection of our respective sovereignty – we are two countries proud to be independent – and we share these links in security and defence, and lots of fields of cooperation,” she said.
Over the next decades, “we will continue to stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder with India”, the French minister said.