New Delhi: As part of the move to boost security in the Indian Ocean region, Britain will be posting a British Royal Navy officer at the Indian Navy’s IFC-IOR, the Navy’s Information Fusion Centre.

This was announced in an official statement issued by the British High Commission here which said  “Lieutenant Commander Stephen Smith will be based full-time at the Centre. With the two countries keen to work closely in the IOR and wider Indo-Pacific Region, such a cooperation will help.

To further boost cooperation in the maritime domain with India, the UK government has posted their International Liaison Officer (ILO) at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram.

This is in line with the recently launched 2030 Roadmap in May. With the two countries keen to work closely in the IOR and wider Indo-Pacific Region, such a cooperation will help. For the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy, this is further going to enhance maritime domain awareness effort.

On the UK’s first ever ILO Lt Cdr Stephen Smith to be posted in India, Admiral Tony Radakin, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, expressed his delight and said, “I am excited at the opportunities this position brings us for closer UK-India collaboration and information sharing.”

Said Gavin Thompson, Defence Adviser at British High Commission, New Delhi “The IFC-IOR is an excellent platform to enable closer engagement and ensure greater sharing of information on vessels of interest.” Adding, “The appointment of the Liaison Officer forms part of our enhanced maritime partnership to bolster security in the Indian Ocean.”

The armed forces of both countries already enjoy high levels of interoperability. This will be on display when the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, led by one of their largest aircraft carriers – HMS Queen Elizabeth arrives in India.