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Two disasters – the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the tsunami of the fateful Christmas of 2004 – drew global focus on India like never before. While 9/11 convinced the world about India being a target of terrorist organizations supported by Pakistan’s military-mullah establishment, well connected to the same groups responsible for terrorist attacks not only in the US but also in UK and a number of other countries, the tsunami’s aftermath demonstrated India’s maritime establishment’s capabilities of strategic outreach and management of one of the world’s busiest and crucial sea corridor of the Indian Ocean Region. Since then, countries – large and small, far and near – began making a beeline for India to get involved with its armed forces.
Traditionally, relations between France and India are healthy. Ever since the French President’s state visit to India on 24-26 January 1998, fresh impetus has been given to bilateral relations and the foundations of a strategic, lasting partnership between the countries were laid. France supports India’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council and wants India to be able to benefit from international cooperation in the area of civil nuclear energy. A joint declaration issued by the French Head of State and the Indian Prime Minister was adopted during Manmohan Singh’s visit to Paris on 12 September 2005. This joint declaration stresses both countries’ commitment to working toward concluding bilateral agreements (defence and civil nuclear energy, development of economic dealings, and substantial increase in trade). There are other forums for dialogue between France and India: the Indo-French Initiative Forum, which helps to enhance relations by putting representatives of French and Indian civil society in contact with each other (tenth session, New Delhi, October 2005), the High Committee for Defence Cooperation (eighth meeting, New Delhi, December 2005), the Joint Economic Commission (most recent meeting was in December 2004). Since 1998, France and India have conducted a strategic dialogue at the level of diplomatic advisers (15th meeting in January 2006). Significantly, France was one of the countries which was not judgmental about India’s second nuclear test of May 1998.
However, 2007 seems to mark a high point with three major strategic cooperation related events notched in the first five months of the year. First was the air exercise, Garuda, followed by the naval exercise, Varuna. The third event was the visit of a section of the French Joint Services Defence College (JSDC) to India for a study tour.
Indian Air Force (IAF) station Kalaikunda hosted exercise ‘Garuda’, the third in the series of joint Indo-French air exercises in February as part of the ongoing international defence cooperation. Defence ministry sources in Kolkata said that the IAF fielded Sukhoi-30 MK1, Mirage-2000, MiG-27 and IL-78 (Flight Refueller) aircraft. The French Air Force detachment comprised Mirage-2000D, Mirage-2000-5 and AWACS aircraft. One of the highlights of this exercise was mid-air refuelling. Joint exercises provide the platform to understand each other’s methods of conducting air operations, logistic management, maintenance activities and administrative practices. IAF has already conducted joint exercises with the air forces of South Africa, USA, UK, France, and Singapore.
Sources said that after the induction of Russian made In-Flight Refuellers (IL-78), IAF fighters were also deployed on foreign shores and took part in multi-national air exercises abroad.
IAF pilots have not only made a name for themselves when deployed on the UN mission abroad, but are also rated among the best in the world. IAF aviators have been flying in what are considered one of the most challenging conditions related to terrain, altitude, quick and unpredictable climatic changes and temperatures, as in the Northern and Eastern Himalayas. The Russian aero-industry has acknowledged the boldness and expertise of IAF pilots and technicians in testing the endurance of Russian fixed wing aircraft and helicopters much beyond the parameters set by the manufacturers.
The second phase of the Joint Indo-French naval exercise Varuna VI began on the coast of Goa. Aircraft carriers, destroyers and submarines of India and France, supported by their air forces, undertook a week-long joint exercises off the Goa coast recently to tone up inter-operability and make them ready in the event of integrated operations in April. Another highlight of the eighth joint exercise is that for the first time, aircraft carriers of both the countries are participating.
The opening day of the exercises, Varuna II saw India’s Sea Harrier combat aircraft landing for the first time on Charles de Gaulle, the nuclear-powered French aircraft carrier participating in the war games for the first time. As two Sea Harriers, having the unique capability of vertical takeoff and landing, landed on Charles de Gaulle after starting from Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat a few kilometres away, the French ship became only the second foreign aircraft carrier after the US One on which the Indian fighters have landed.
The two navies have been conducting the joint exercises since 2001, gradually increasing the levels and extent, which in this exercise amounted to a total of ten ships, two submarines, 60 aircraft and 5,000 sailors and air crew.
From 21 to 28 April 2007, a delegation of more than 115 members, composed of 82 trainees and 12 staff members of the French Joint Services Defence College (JSDC) came to India for a study our. During this second visit to India within three years, this group enjoyed the opportunity to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Mumbai.
The delegation including 27 trainees from 26 countries headed by Rear Admiral Svend-Erik Estellon, Training Director, JSDC, interacted with the Integrated Defence Staff, United Service Institution of India, the Government of Rajasthan and the Indian Navy as well as with the French Embassy and the French Consulate General in Mumbai. This tour to India aimed at deepening the knowledge of these officers on India, in the fields of military, civic and social organisations.
The JSDC, which reports to the Chief of Defence Staff, prepares officers of the rank of Major and Lieutenant Colonel for higher responsibilities as commanders. It was created on 1 September 1993 by the combination of the Armed Service War College, the Gendarmerie Staff College and the Joint Staff College. About 300 officers attend the JSDC each academic year. One hundred come from more than 60 nations for a year for challenging and diversified training. Indian Armed Forces have been providing JSDC with one or two officers every year since 1999. Two Indian officers are attending this session. The central theme of the college instruction covers three main subjects – geopolitics and strategy, operations, management and methodology.
Speaking to media Estellon said “India is on everybody’s map around the world. The officers, among whom are future chiefs of the French military, will attempt to figure out whether India is a regional or world power, judging it on the basis of its military clout, economic muscle and governance standards.” Group captain Patrick Serradell, the French defence attaché in India, said his country’s intention was to lay a strong foundation for the expansion of military cooperation with India. Lieutenant General (ret’d) Satish Nambiar, Director, USI, and Brigadier Arun Saighal, with whom this group interacted could not but help commenting that they were overwhelmed by the interest and enthusiasm of the officers, particularly on proliferation security initiative, the India-US nuclear deal, India’s strategic perspective, and internal security developments. But what is indeed a treat to watch and hear, is how Indian and French soldiers, sailors, and airmen communicate with each other, given the diversities and peculiarities of their languages.
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