After Malabar, UK Carrier Strike Group Comes to India for Exercise

NEW DELHI: Even as the high-voltage quadrilateral Malabar naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal concluded on Friday, the UK’s aircraft carrier strike group led by the new 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth entered the waters for a bilateral exercise with India.

The first tri-Service exercise with the UK, centred around aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth with its fifth-generation F-35B `lightning’ fighter jets, is slated to take place off the western coast from October 21 to 27. India has undertaken such exercises, with the Army, Navy and IAF participating together in the combat manoeuvres, only with the US and Russia till now.

Returning after showing the flag in the contested South China Sea, the UK carrier strike group in on its maiden deployment to the Indo-Pacific. “The deployment is a powerful demonstration of the UK’s commitment to deepening its diplomatic, economic and security-based ties in the Indo-Pacific region. India is essential in ensuring a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” the British High Commission said, in a statement on Friday.

British High Commissioner Alex Ellis, in turn, said, “India is an essential partner for the UK in the Indo-Pacific region. The carrier strike group’s visit demonstrates the deepening of the bilateral defence and security partnership.”

“Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson agreed to work in lockstep for our shared security and prosperity. This visit will boost the cooperation of our armed forces and show the living bridge connecting our people,” he added.

First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin said the engagement with India showcases the deepening comprehensive strategic partnership. “Both the Indian and the Royal Navy are blue-water, multi-carrier navies, which places us in a very exclusive club,” he said.

Source: ToI