<span style="color: #222222;">The sixth edition of Indo France joint military exercise 'EX-SHAKTI 2021' is being conducted at the French port town of Frejus. The 12-day long bilateral exercise, which began yesterday, will conclude on the 26th of this month.<br />''<br />''Defence Ministry said exercise SHAKTI will focus on Counter-Terrorism operations in the backdrop of semi-urban terrain under UN Mandate with an aim to enhance military cooperation and inter-operability between the two Armies.  <br />''<br />''A platoon strength of a Gorkha Rifles Infantry Battalion is representing the Indian Army in this 12-day bilateral exercise. Whereas The French side is being represented by troops of the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade.<br />''<br />''The last edition of Exercise SHAKTI was conducted at Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan from 31 October to 13 November 2019 in which Counter-Terrorism operations in semi-desert terrain were practised and validated.<br />''<br />''India and France carry out three biennial training exercises namely, Exercise GARUDA with Indian Airforce, Exercise VARUNA with Indian Navy and Exercise SHAKTI with the Indian Army. </span><br />