National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a meeting with French Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, discussing defence cooperation, including the Rafale Marine, Scorpene submarines, space collaboration, and the international situation, particularly Ukraine.
Sharing details of the meeting, the French Embassy in India stated, “During NSA Ajit Doval’s visit to France, French Minister for the Armed Forces @SebLecornu met him for discussions. Their talks ranged from bilateral defence cooperation—the Rafale Marine, Scorpene submarines, space—to the international situation, particularly Ukraine.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sébastien Lecornu also mentioned his meeting with Ajit Doval. “On the occasion of his visit to France, discussions with Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India, to discuss our bilateral defence cooperation: Rafale Marine, Scorpene submarines, space, as well as the international situation, especially Ukraine,” he wrote.
Earlier, the Indian Navy’s frontline stealth frigate INS Tabar, commanded by Captain M.R. Harish, visited Toulon, France, from August 29 to September 1. Afterward, INS Tabar participated in the 22nd edition of the India-France bilateral naval exercise in the Mediterranean Sea from September 2-4, according to a Ministry of Defence press release.
Alongside INS Tabar, the Indian Navy was represented by a shipborne helicopter and the LRMR Aircraft P8I, while the French side was represented by FS Provence, the submarine Suffren, Aircraft F20, Atlantique 2, fighters MB339, and helicopters NH90 and Dauphin, according to the Ministry of Defence.
A series of advanced naval operations were conducted during this edition of the bilateral exercise, including tactical manoeuvres, anti-submarine warfare exercises, FLYEX, air defence exercises, live weapon firings, PHOTO-EX, and Steam Past. These exercises demonstrated seamless integration of both navies’ assets across all three domains: air, surface, and sub-surface.
“The bilateral exercise VARUNA, which began in 2001, is the backbone of the India-France naval relationship and has significantly evolved over the years to enhance interoperability and the exchange of best practices. The 22nd edition of VARUNA in the Mediterranean Sea marks a significant milestone in the maritime domain between India and France, displaying the Indian Navy’s outreach and commitment to sustained operations far beyond the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)”, The Ministry of Defence said in a release.