Exercise VARUNA 2026: 24th Edition of India-France Bilateral Naval Exercise, INS Trishul at Toulon
INS Trishul, an Indian Navy guided-missile stealth frigate, arrived at the Toulon Naval Base in France on 22 September 2026 for the 24th edition of Exercise VARUNA — the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Initiated in 1983, VARUNA is the flagship exercise of the India-France strategic partnership.
At a glance
INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France on 22 September 2026 for the 24th edition of Exercise VARUNA — India-France annual bilateral naval exercise. Activities include anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and surface combat operations.
Edition: 24th | Ship: INS Trishul (guided-missile stealth frigate) | Location: Toulon Naval Base, France (Mediterranean) | Indian Navy + French Marine Nationale | Harbour phase + Sea phase
India-France bilateral naval interactions started in 1983; named VARUNA in 2001. The name VARUNA references the Vedic god of water and seas, reflecting India's maritime heritage.
France is the only European country with a permanent military presence in the Indo-Pacific (La Réunion, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Djibouti). VARUNA is embedded in the India-France Strategic Partnership of 1998 — India's first strategic partnership.
Timeline
Why in News
INS Trishul, an Indian Navy guided-missile stealth frigate, arrived at the Toulon Naval Base in southern France on 22 September 2026 to participate in the 24th edition of bilateral maritime Exercise VARUNA. The exercise is conducted annually between the Indian Navy and the French Navy (Marine Nationale) and is the centrepiece of the India-France defence partnership. The 24th edition includes professional harbour engagements followed by a sea phase in the Mediterranean, covering anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defence, and surface combat operations.
Background
India and France established their Strategic Partnership in 1998 — India's first such partnership with any country. This partnership laid the foundation for deep defence cooperation, including regular tri-service exercises. Bilateral naval interactions between India and France began in 1983 and were formalised and named VARUNA in 2001. The name references Varuna, the Vedic deity of water, seas, and celestial oceans — a symbolic acknowledgement of India's ancient maritime heritage.
Since its naming in 2001, Exercise VARUNA has grown in complexity and scope, evolving from basic passage exercises to complex multi-domain naval operations covering submarine warfare, fleet air defence, and surface combat. It is now held alternately in India and France.
Current Developments
The 24th edition commenced with INS Trishul's arrival at Toulon on 22 September 2026. Toulon is the principal base of the French Navy on the Mediterranean coast and home to France's sole aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle. The harbour phase involves professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, operational briefings, and sporting engagements. The sea phase follows in the Mediterranean, featuring:
- Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) drills
- Air defence exercises
- Surface combat and tactical manoeuvring
- Search and Rescue (SAR) procedures
- VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) counter-piracy operations
Key Facts
- Exercise name: VARUNA (named after Vedic deity of seas)
- Edition: 24th (2026)
- Participants: Indian Navy and French Navy (Marine Nationale)
- Indian ship: INS Trishul (Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate)
- Location: Toulon Naval Base, France (Mediterranean Sea)
- Initiated: 1983 (bilateral naval interactions); named VARUNA: 2001
- India-France Strategic Partnership: Established 1998 (India's first strategic partnership)
- Frequency: Annual bilateral; rotates between India and France
- Focus: Anti-submarine warfare, air defence, surface warfare, SAR, VBSS
India-France Defence Exercises — Full Spectrum
| Exercise | Service | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| VARUNA | Navy | Annual bilateral naval exercise |
| Shakti | Army | Annual bilateral army exercise |
| Garuda | Air Force | Biennial bilateral air exercise |
| Desert Knight | Air Force | Trilateral (India-France-UAE) air exercise |
Constitutional Provisions
Defence and foreign affairs are Union subjects under the Seventh Schedule. Under Article 246 read with Entry 1 (Defence) and Entry 14 (Treaties, agreements, and conventions), List I, the Union government has exclusive power over defence and external affairs. The President of India, as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces under Article 53(2), exercises control over the armed forces through the elected government. Bilateral defence exercises are executed under the framework of defence cooperation agreements negotiated under Article 73 (executive power of the Union in foreign affairs).
Institutional Framework
- Indian Navy: Conducts VARUNA; coordinates with Integrated Defence Staff (IDS)
- French Marine Nationale: French Navy counterpart
- Ministry of Defence (MoD): Nodal ministry for defence cooperation
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): Diplomatic framework; Annual Strategic Dialogue
- Department of Defence Production: Arms procurement under the India-France Defence Industrial Roadmap (e.g., Rafale jets, P75 Scorpene submarines)
Economic Dimensions
India-France defence cooperation has significant economic dimensions. France is a major defence supplier to India: the Rafale fighter jets (IAF and IN variants), the six Scorpene-class submarines (Project 75, built at MDL Mumbai), and the Shakti aero-engine for the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Dhruv) are key French-origin platforms. The India-France Defence Industrial Roadmap (2022) envisions deeper co-production and technology transfer, aligned with India's Make in India in Defence policy.
International Relations
France occupies a unique position in India's strategic calculus as:
- A permanent member of the UN Security Council (P5) that has consistently supported India's UNSC aspirations
- The only European/NATO country with a permanent Indo-Pacific military presence (Réunion, New Caledonia, Djibouti, French Polynesia) — enabling joint maritime domain awareness with India
- A fellow nuclear-armed democracy with a doctrine of strategic autonomy, mirroring India's non-aligned/strategic autonomy posture
- A partner in the Indo-Pacific Oceanic Initiative (IPOI), which India launched in 2019 as an open, inclusive architecture for maritime cooperation
The 2022 India-France Roadmap to 2047 (marking 75 years of diplomatic relations) deepened cooperation in space, cyber, climate, and maritime domains — with VARUNA as the annual demonstration of naval interoperability.
Challenges
- AUKUS dynamics: Australia's 2021 AUKUS deal (with US and UK for nuclear submarines) cancelled a major French submarine contract, straining France's relations with some Quad partners. India has carefully maintained equidistance.
- Technology transfer limits: Despite closeness, France has certain restrictions on advanced technology transfer, particularly nuclear propulsion
- India's multi-alignment: India maintains exercises with all major navies (US, Russia, Japan, Australia, UK, France), requiring careful diplomatic management
Way Forward
The India-France strategic partnership has matured into one of India's most substantive bilateral relationships. The two countries should deepen maritime domain awareness sharing in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and expand VARUNA to include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercises, reflecting the Indian Navy's broader concept of being a net security provider in the IOR. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs has recommended formalising a dedicated India-France Maritime Security Dialogue to complement VARUNA.
Possible Mains Questions
- "France is India's most consequential European strategic partner. Analyse the basis and content of the India-France relationship." (GS-II, 15 marks)
- "Bilateral defence exercises serve diplomatic and security objectives simultaneously. Critically evaluate this proposition with examples from India's naval diplomacy." (GS-II, 10 marks)
Possible Prelims MCQs
- Q: Exercise VARUNA is a bilateral naval exercise between India and which country?
A: France
Explanation: VARUNA is the annual bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Marine Nationale; the 24th edition in 2026 features INS Trishul at Toulon. - Q: In which year was India's bilateral naval exercise with France formally named VARUNA?
A: 2001
Explanation: Bilateral naval interactions with France began in 1983 but the exercise was formally named VARUNA only in 2001. - Q: India-France Strategic Partnership, established in 1998, was India's — ?
A: First strategic partnership
Explanation: The 1998 India-France Strategic Partnership was the first formal strategic partnership India signed with any country, predating similar partnerships with Russia, USA, Japan, and Australia.
Essay Dimensions
- Naval diplomacy as an instrument of India's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific
- The India-France relationship: foundations of a mature strategic partnership
- India's multi-alignment strategy: navigating great power competition in the maritime domain
- The Indian Ocean as a strategic commons: cooperation vs. competition
- Defence indigenisation and strategic autonomy: India's challenge in the 21st century
Interview Questions
- What distinguishes a 'strategic partnership' from a regular bilateral relationship? Give examples from India's foreign policy.
- France calls itself an Indo-Pacific power. What is the basis for this claim and how does it affect France-India relations?
- What is the significance of AUKUS for India's security calculus in the Indo-Pacific?
- How does Exercise VARUNA complement other India-France defence cooperation initiatives like Rafale and Scorpene?
- What is the Indo-Pacific Oceanic Initiative (IPOI) and how does it differ from the Quad?
FAQ
- Q: What is Toulon and why is it significant?
- Toulon is the principal base of the French Navy (Marine Nationale) on the Mediterranean coast in southern France. It is home to France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and several nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). Its strategic location makes it a hub for French naval operations in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and beyond.
- Q: What is INS Trishul?
- INS Trishul is a Talwar-class (Project 11356) guided-missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, commissioned in 2003. Built by the Baltic Shipyard, Russia, under a transfer-of-technology arrangement, it is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Shtil surface-to-air missiles, and anti-submarine torpedoes. The name Trishul (trident) is shared with the three-pronged weapon of Lord Shiva.
- Q: What is the difference between Exercise VARUNA and Exercise TROPEX?
- Exercise VARUNA is a bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy. Exercise TROPEX (Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise) is an internal Indian Navy exercise — the largest naval exercise conducted by India — involving all three fleets (Western, Eastern, Southern) and testing combat readiness across all warfare domains.
Further Reading
- Indian Navy official website — indiannavy.nic.in
- MEA: India-France bilateral relations
- PIB: Exercise VARUNA press releases
- India-France Roadmap to 2047 — MEA