The Varuna naval exercises are annual naval cooperation drills between the French Navy and the Indian Navy. The two navies usually meet in the Indian Ocean and coordinate efforts on everything from minesweeping to anti-submarine warfare. France and India began Varuna in 2001 and have carried out eight bilateral exercises since, the latest one occurring from late March to early April in 2006. They are an integral part of Franco-Indian relations in the 21st century.