France to join India's Indo-Pacific oceans initiative; aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to exercise with Indian Navy

Even as India and France strengthen ties, Paris has agreed to join New Delhi'sIndo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI).IPOI was proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the East Asia Summit in November2019.

The development comes even as French Foreign ministerJean-Yves Le Drian is on an India visit. Earlier in the day, he met India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. He will also be going toIndian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters inBengaluru.

Increasing trade connectivity, maritime transport and maritime security are among the seven key pillars of the initiative. Other five are maritime ecology, maritime resources, capacity building and resource sharing, disaster risk reduction and management, science, technology and academic cooperation.

India has been engaging with countries under IPOI. Many countries in the region have been invited for it.

Both India and France are increasing engagement, especially in defence and martime domain. French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will take part in India-France Varuna naval exercise.

Charles de Gaulle is thefirst Frenchnuclear-poweredsurface vessel. The exercises will start from April 26th and take place off the coast of Oman (Western Indian Ocean).

The last edition of Varuna Exercises took place along the Goa coast in May2019.That was the 17th edition of this exercise. Earlier this month, India for the first time joined France-initiated La Pérouse exercises. The exercises saw coming together of naval ships of France and all four Quad countries-- India, US, Australia and Japan.