Given the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and China increasing its naval presence there, India and France will conduct joint ocean mapping and surveillance for two days starting Wednesday.
Moreover, Defence Minister of France Sebastian Lecornu is likely to hold talks with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in New Delhi late November.
The two Ministers will review bilateral defence ties between India and France, sources said here on Tuesday adding the visiting minister will also meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor(NSA)Ajit Doval. As regards joint mapping, the Indian Navy’s Boeing P 8 I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and French Navy’s Falcon 50 conducting will conduct the exercise in the Mozambique Channel, Mauritius and South-West Indian Ocean. This is the second time this year two countries are carrying out mapping around French Union Island. The two countries will also review their efforts to deter piracy, drug trafficking and arms smuggling in the region.
Incidentally, the French defence minister’s visit will take place after the culmination of the fortnight long ‘Garuda’ joint exercise between air forces of the two countries in Jodhpur this weekend and the joint mapping drill. Indian Air Force chief V R Chaudhari on Tuesday flew in a Rafale fighter jet, while French Air chief General Stéphane Mille took off in an Indian Russian-origin Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft during 'Garuda VIl' bilateral exercise.
The visiting French air force chief had met his Indian counterpart in New Delhi on Monday and discussed ways to further strengthen their bilateral ties. He also met Army chief General Manoj Pande and Navy Vice Chief S N Ghormade.