National

The French Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles De Gaulle, arrived in Goa on January 4, 2025, to participate in the 42nd annual bilateral naval exercise Varuna with the Indian Navy.

The French Carrier Strike Group, including Rafale Marine fighter aircraft, received a ceremonial welcome at Goa’s Mormugao port.

The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, foster mutual understanding, and strengthen Indo-French naval ties.

France and India regularly collaborate to ensure maritime safety in the Indian Ocean.

Since 2008, France has been a member of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a forum initiated by India to address issues like illegal trafficking, fishing violations, sea rescue, and pollution.

Indo-French Strategic Partnership

India and France have been strategic partners since 1998, with robust military cooperation reflected in bilateral exercises: Shakti (land), Varuna (sea), and Garuda (air).

Since 2022, French Navy vessels have made 16 port calls to India, showcasing operational collaboration.

Border Fencing with Myanmar:

• Over 9 km of fencing has been completed at Moreh in Manipur as of January 2025.
• The Border Road Organisation (BRO) is working on constructing 21 km of fence and road, a project awarded in February 2024.

India-Myanmar Border Details:

• Total border length: 1,643 km.
• States along the border: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram.
• Border demarcation completed for 1,472 km out of 1,643 km.

Hybrid Surveillance Projects:

• Two pilot projects of Hybrid surveillance systems are under construction in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

Union Home Ministry Report: The fencing and surveillance initiatives were highlighted in a report published by the ministry recently.

India will host the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 from February 5th to 9th at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, marking its first-ever hosting of this global event. The summit aims to position India as a global hub for content creation and foster collaborations in the media and entertainment industry.

Key focus areas include AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), technological advancements, sustainable production, and global market strategies, attracting industry leaders and innovators worldwide.

India’s first glass bridge over the sea was inaugurated in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, on 30 December 2024 by Chief Minister MK Stalin.

The 77-meter-long bridge, built at a cost of ₹37 crores, connects the 133 ft tall Saint Tiruvalluvar statue (renamed as the “Statue of Wisdom”) with the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the Tiruvalluvar statue, the bridge offers tourists a breezy walk with a clear view of the sea below.