Bilateral naval exercises like VARUNA serve as instruments of naval diplomacy beyond mere interoperability. Discuss with reference to India's Indo-Pacific outlook.

Naval diplomacy means using warships to pursue foreign-policy goals without conflict. The Indian and French navies have held bilateral exercises since 1993, named VARUNA since 2001 [2]. VARUNA has grown from tactical drills into a pillar of a partnership that was raised to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership" in February 2026 [3].

Interoperability: the operational base

• In the 2026 sea phase, INS Trishul trained with the French frigates Forbin and La Fayette, the nuclear attack submarine Suffren, NH90 helicopters and Atlantique 2 aircraft. The drills covered anti-submarine warfare, live firing and cross-deck helicopter landings [1].
• VARUNA 2025 paired Rafale-M and MiG-29K jets in air-defence drills [4].

Beyond interoperability: the diplomatic functions

• Strategic reach: Holding the 24th edition at Toulon, in the Mediterranean, shows that the Indian Navy can operate beyond the Indian Ocean [2].
• Indo-Pacific convergence: Both countries are resident powers in the region. The Indo-Pacific Roadmap (2023) commits them to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific under international law [5]. VARUNA puts this into practice, along with French participation in MILAN 2026 and the IONS Conclave [3].
• Defence-industrial trust: Shared platforms deepen the partnership. Examples are the 26 Rafale-M agreement (2025), the Scorpene submarines and the Safran–BEL joint venture to make Hammer weapons in India, which supports Atmanirbharta [3].
• Institutional anchoring: The Maritime Cooperation Dialogue and the Annual Defence Dialogue keep the partnership going. In 2026 the two countries renewed their 10-year defence agreement [3].
• Soft power: The crew laid a wreath at Mazargues War Memorial for 205 Indian soldiers of the World Wars [1].

Limitations

• Asymmetry: In 2026, one Indian frigate trained with a French task group [1]. India's diplomatic reach is running ahead of its ability to project force.
• Capacity: The Navy's share of the defence capital budget fell from 12.8% to 7.5% between 2012-13 and 2017-18 [6]. Sending ships far away means fewer ships patrolling the Indian Ocean.

VARUNA has therefore moved from drills to strategic signalling, building trust and shaping the regional order. Its diplomatic value will last if India expands its fleet, holds editions in key Indo-Pacific waters and turns shared platforms into domestic capability. That would advance the Horizon 2047 vision of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.