UK Navy Chief to hold talks with defence officials

NEW DELHI: British Navy Chief will hold talks with top defence officials on enhancement of training exchanges and visit various naval installations during his four-day trip to the country.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Royal Navy was received at South Block lawns today by Indian Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan and was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.

During the day, Zambellas is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the Defence Minister and the three Service Chiefs as well as various senior MoD and other government officials here, an official statement said here.

Issues that are likely to be discussed during the visit include enhancement of training exchanges, improving maritime domain awareness by sharing of and participation of the Royal Navy in the prestigious International Fleet Review being organised by the Indian Navy off Visakhapatnam in February next year.

The Admiral will also be visiting some of Indian Navy's training establishments at Kochi, and interact with the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, the Flag Officer Sea Training and Flag Officer, Naval Aviation at Goa.

While in Kochi, the Admiral will be shown the first Aircraft Carrier, being built indigenously at the Cochin Shipyard Limited.

The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy cooperate with each other in technical training, anti-piracy patrols and Navy to Navy staff talks.

The two navies have been conducting joint exercises at sea in the bilateral EX KONKAN since 2004. Warships from both navies call at each other's ports too.