In an evolving world order, where the Indo-Pacific has emerged as the new center of gravity for global geopolitics, India and France are deepening their maritime cooperation with a strategic clarity that reflects shared values, mutual interests, and long-term vision.
On July 20, 2025, the two nations concluded the second edition of the "Varuna–Shakti" bilateral naval exercise, conducted in the strategic waters near the Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). What might seem like just another military drill is actually a signal—a powerful one—of shifting geopolitical alignments in the 21st century.
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| Indian and French naval ships during the Varuna–Shakti 2025 exercise near Reunion Island. |
Why the Indian Ocean Matters
The Indian Ocean isn’t just water. It's a lifeline of global trade, carrying over 80% of the world’s oil shipments and 50% of container traffic. Whoever secures this space commands influence—not just over nations, but over global economics.
China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific through the Belt and Road Initiative and militarized ports like Gwadar (Pakistan) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka) has made regional actors nervous. India, backed by partners like France, is now stepping up to secure its sphere of influence.
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| Indian and French naval ships during the Varuna–Shakti 2025 exercise near Reunion Island. |
India–France: A Strategic Convergence
This isn’t a newfound friendship. India and France have historically shared a strong defense relationship—from Rafale jets to Scorpène-class submarines. But in recent years, the partnership has moved beyond weapons to joint patrolling, technology sharing, space cooperation, and maritime surveillance.
Key highlights of the recent developments:
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Joint naval exercises in both the western and southern Indian Ocean
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Deployment of P-8I aircraft from Indian bases for coordinated maritime surveillance
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Discussions on co-developing next-gen naval technologies
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French support for India's permanent seat at the UN Security Council
France is unique—it's the only European power with actual territories in the Indian Ocean, including Mayotte and Réunion. This gives Paris both strategic stakes and legitimacy in Indo-Pacific affairs.
Countering China, Quietly
Unlike the U.S. which takes a confrontational approach to China, India and France prefer silent assertion. Their naval cooperation isn’t aimed directly at any country, but the messaging is clear: the Indian Ocean isn’t a free playground.
This form of "strategic deterrence without escalation" allows India to counterbalance Chinese ambitions without triggering a flashpoint.
The Quad vs. France: Complementary, Not Competing
India is already part of the Quad (with the U.S., Japan, and Australia), and skeptics often ask—why add France into the mix? The answer lies in balance. While the Quad is often seen as U.S.-led, Indo-French cooperation is less political, more practical. It offers India a European ally that doesn’t come with geopolitical baggage.
Looking Ahead
With the global order fracturing into multipolarity, India's best strategy is not choosing sides—but building a web of reliable, issue-based partnerships. France fits perfectly into that vision.
Whether it’s:
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collaborating on nuclear submarines,
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working together in Africa and West Asia, or
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defending the norms of the rules-based international order,
…this is more than a bilateral tie. It’s a blueprint for 21st-century strategic autonomy
Final Thoughts
The Indo-French naval engagement is a quiet revolution in global diplomacy. While media attention often stays glued to big summits and loud speeches, it’s partnerships like these—rooted in trust, shared values, and strategic depth—that shape the future of the world’s most contested region: the Indo-Pacific.
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