VARUNA Exercise 2025 Concludes

Context:

The VARUNA 2025 recently concluded in the Arabian Sea. It mainly focused on enhancing maritime cooperation and operational synergy.

Relevance:
GS-2 (International Relations)

Key highlights:

• VARUNA is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France.
• Other Indo-French Joint Exercises:
  • Desert Knight-21 and Garuda (Air exercise)
  • Shakti (Army exercise)

About VARUNA 2025:

• Aimed at strengthening joint operational capabilities and reinforcing a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.
• Featured advanced naval drills, including mock air combat between Indian MiG-29K fighters and French Rafale-M aircraft.
• Underscored the growing India-France strategic partnership, especially in defence and maritime security.

Significance:

• It helps increase the interoperability between the Indian and French navies to ensure regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Strengthens bilateral defence ties, reinforcing India’s commitment to a free and open maritime domain.

Prelims Question:

The VARUNA Exercise 2025, which mainly focused on enhancing maritime cooperation and operational synergy in the Indo-Pacific, was with which country?

1. France
2. Sri Lanka
3. Russia
4. Australia

Answer: 1. France

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