French Navy Ship Languedoc Enhances Maritime Cooperation on Mumbai Goodwill Visit

French Navy Ship Languedoc, an Aquitaine class frigate, commanded by Captain Christine Ribbe, paid a goodwill visit to Mumbai from October 13 to 18, 2023. During this period, the Commanding Officer held discussions with Rear Admiral AN Pramod, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA), covering topics of mutual interest. The visit facilitated professional exchanges between personnel from the French and Indian Navies, allowing for the sharing of best practices. Additionally, the occasion provided opportunities for informal interactions, including sporting events involving Indian Navy personnel.

Simultaneously, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Slaars, Commander of the French Forces deployed in the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN), along with Capt Yannick Bossu, Commander of the Combined Task Force 150 (CCTF 150), also visited Mumbai. They engaged with Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. The discussions primarily centered on enhancing maritime cooperation between the Indian and French Navies, as well as increasing Indian Navy’s involvement in the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

This visit is anticipated to not only renew but also fortify the strategic partnership between the two nations, given their shared concerns in overlapping areas of responsibility.