(VOVWORLD) - France will lead a three-day naval drill called La Perouse in the Bay of Bengal in the Indian Ocean on Monday with its QUAD partners - India, Australia, Japan, and the US.
 The amphib Tonnerre of the French Navy (Photo: USNI)
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The drill is an opportunity for the five naval forces to develop closer links, hone their skills, and promote maritime cooperation to maintain a free, open Indo-Pacific, the French Embassy in New Delhi said Wednesday.
French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain said the La Perouse drill is an example of multilateralism at sea and France's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The Commander of the French Coalition Force in the Indian Ocean said France is part of the Indian Ocean and its presence is aimed at balancing power, ensuring that all international laws of the sea, freedom of navigation, and multilateralism are strictly adhered to in this area.