India-France Naval presence in Gulf likely
Dated 25/5/2006
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France is actively considering an option to jointly deploy its navy with India's in the Persian Gulf by early next year and is keen to sign a special agreement by October.
France is looking for an Asian partner to increase its presence in the Persian Gulf and it plans to conduct anti-terrorism sea patrols with India.
India has shown interest about the proposal but is yet to give consent on the parameters of joint tasking.
The French proposal suggests that long distance sea patrols can start from the Gulf of Aden and end at its islands on the African coast.
The French navy has already agreed to experimentally deploy a joint patrol team with the Indian Navy this year.
