What is Exercise Shakti?

About Exercise Shakti:

• It is a biennial training event conducted alternatively in India and France.
• The last edition was conducted in France in November 2021.
• Aim: To enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake multi-domain operations in a Sub-Conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
• The joint exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban and mountainous terrain. 
• Objectives to be achieved from the joint training are a high degree of physical fitness, rehearsing and refining drills for operations at the tactical level, and sharing of best practices.
• It will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for conducting joint operations.
• The Indian contingent comprises 90 personnel, primarily from the Rajput Regiment, along with personnel from other arms and services, participating in the exercise.
• Observers from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force are also part of this 14-day exercise.

It will also include the French contingent, consisting of 90 personnel, mainly from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE).

Q1: What is VARUNA Exercise?

VARUNA Excercise is the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France. This bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993. It was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of India France strategic bilateral relationship.

Source: INDIA- FRANCE JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE SHAKTI COMMENCES IN MEGHALAYA