India begins joint military exercise with France

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - The Indian and French armies launched a maiden joint military exercise, FRINJEX-23, on Tuesday, according to officials.

"Maiden joint military exercise FRINJEX 2023 between the Indian Army and the French Army commenced at Thiruvananthapuram. The exercise aims at enhancing interoperability and synergy between the armies of the two Nations," the Indian Army's Southern Command wrote on Twitter.

The two-day exercise is being held at Pangode Military Station in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala state, according to a statement issued Monday by the Ministry of Defense.

It said that "for the first time, armies of both the nations are engaging in this format, with each contingent comprising of a Company Group each from the Thiruvananthapuram based Indian Army troops and French 6th Light Armoured Brigade."

According to the ministry, the exercise is aimed at enhancing inter-operability, coordination and cooperation between both forces at the tactical level.

"The scope of the exercise involves the establishment and operationalization of a joint command post to secure an envisaged area for undertaking joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, establishing an Internally Displaced Population (IDP) camp and move(ment) of disaster relief material," the statement noted, adding it will "further cement defense cooperation with France, which is a key aspect of the overall Indo-France strategic partnership."