"We will stay in Abu Dhabi for four days and then we continue our mission to India where we are expected on April 15 for a stay of three to four days," the ship's commander, Admiral Jacques Mazars, told AFP.

He said his carrier would join six other vessels in joint exercises with the country's navy.

The Charles de Gaulle left its home port in Toulon, southern France, on March 1 for three months of exercises in the Gulf and Indian Ocean, Mazars said.

He said joint exercises have been held with the navies of Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates without providing further details.

WAR.WIRE