India and UK conduct Maritime Partnership Exercise

New Delhi: A Maritime Partnership Exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Navy was conducted in Bay of Bengal on April 4, 2023.

INS Sumitra and Royal Navy ship HMS Tamar participated in the maritime partnership exercise. The ships undertook tactical manoeuvres, flying operations and seamanship evolutions reaffirming high level of interoperability and close cooperation between two navies.

The exercise was aimed at enhancing interoperability and streamlining seamanship and communication procedures. This exercise is part of the ongoing efforts between the two navies towards ensuring safe and secure international shipping and trade in Indian Ocean Region.

INS Sumitra is a multi-role offshore patrol vessel is part of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy. It is based in Visakhapatnam.

India & UK have been carrying out regular exercises towards reinforcing maritime association.

The bilateral relationship between both the countries was upgraded to a 'Strategic Partnership' in 2004 and was further strengthened through reciprocal visits by the Hon'ble Prime Ministers of both countries.

The Indian Navy – Royal Navy cooperation have been steered in accordance UK-India Joint statement announced during PM Boris Johnson's visit to India in April 2022.  In the joint statement both Prime Ministers had reiterated their commitment to transform defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The engagements between Indian Navy and Royal Navy include operational interactions such as the Bilateral Exercise KONKAN and Joint Services Exercise Konkan Shakti, training exchanges and exchange of Maritime Information and Subject Matter Experts in various fields. In addition, warships from both Navies regularly make port calls at each other's ports, especially after the increased significance of the Indo-Pacific region.

(Defence Watch– India's Defence News centre that places the spotlight on Defence Manufacturing, Defence Technology, Strategy and Military affairs is on Twitter. Follow us here and stay updated.)