CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -India Deploys P-8I Aircraft At France’s Reunion Island For Third Time In Three Years As China Increases Presence In Western Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy has deployed a P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft at France’s La Réunion Island in the western Indian Ocean.

Detailed explanation-2: -21st EDITION OF INDIA FRANCE BILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE ‘VARUNA’ – 2023. The 21st Edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France – Exercise Varuna commenced on the Western Seaboard today, 16 Jan 23.

Detailed explanation-3: -The exercise will be conducted over five days from 16 to 20 January 2023 and will witness advanced air defence exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firings, underway replenishment and other maritime operations.

Detailed explanation-4: -INDIA, FRANCE JOINT EXERCISE The bilateral naval exercises between the two Navies were initiated in 1993. The exercise was christened as ‘Varuna’ in 2001 and has become a vital part of the India-France strategic bilateral relationship.

Detailed explanation-5: -CORPATs help build understanding and interoperability between navies, and facilitate institution of measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy.