The Indian Army contingent departed on Tuesday to participate in 8th edition of the biennial India-French Joint Military Exercise Shakti.

The exercise will be conducted at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, France from June 18 to July 1.

The Indian contingent comprising of 90 personnel is being represented primarily by a Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles besides personnel from other arms and services.

The French contingent comprising of 90 personnel will be represented by personnel from the 13th Foreign Legion Half- Brigade (13th DBLE).

Exercise SHAKTI is a biennial training engagement between the Indian and French Armies, aimed at enhancing interoperability, operational coordination, and military-to-military connections.

Focus On Joint Operations

This edition will focus on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, with training being conducted in semi-urban terrain.

The exercise will provide a platform for both contingents to rehearse and refine tactical drills, share best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs), train on new generation equipment (contemporary military technologies) and strengthen physical endurance.

It will also foster esprit-de-corps, mutual respect and professional camaraderie between the two armies.

Exercise Shakti-VIII underscores the growing defence cooperation between India and France and will strengthen strategic ties between the two friendly nations.

India and France have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations and share deep and enduring Strategic Partnership (SP) covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation which involves a strategic component.

Launched on January 26, 1998, India’s first-ever Strategic Partnership, embodied the core vision of both the countries to enhance their respective strategic independence by drawing upon a strong and enhanced bilateral cooperation.

"Defence & security, civil nuclear matters and space constitute the principal pillars of this strategic cooperation and now includes a strong Indo-Pacific component," read a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in France.

In recent years, the partnership has broadened to include maritime security, digitalisation, cyber security and advanced computing, counter terrorism, climate change, renewable and sustainable growth and development among others.