Royal Navy warship HMS Spey takes part in joint training during inaugural visit to India

Royal Navy warship HMS Spey has followed in the footsteps of sister vessel HMS Tamar and made her inaugural visit to India.

The Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessel arrived in Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Spey conducted manoeuvres with the Indian Navy and had the opportunity to explore the Islands' rich culture and diversity.

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Whilst berthed alongside Naval Component Command (NAVCC) Headquarters on the outskirts of Port Blair, Royal Navy officials on board HMS Spey welcomed their Indian military counterparts for planning discussions.

Defence Advisor to India, Brigadier Nick Sawyer, hosted a discussion on maritime security challenges and priorities within the Bay of Bengal with Indian Navy senior officers, Chief of Staff Andaman and Nicobar Command, Rear Admiral Sandeep Sandhu and Commodore Sugreev.

'Ever-expanding relationship'

Lieutenant Commander Bridget Macnae, HMS Spey's Executive Officer (temporarily in Command), said: "Frequent port visits and multilateral exercises between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy continue to support our ever-expanding relationship and operational interaction and cooperation.

"The UK and India firmly believe in, and promote the Rules Based International System; we share an interest in upholding international maritime law and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific."

'Indo-Pacific tilt in action'

Brigadier Nick Sawyer said: "We deeply value our relationship with India in a shared endeavour to confront those who challenge the rules-based system and ensure peace and prosperity on and from the sea.

"The sixth visit of Royal Navy ship to India within a year is the clearest demonstration of that as well as the UK's Indo-Pacific tilt in action."

HMS Spey hosted a number of Indian Navy service personnel on board whilst the ship conducted a maritime manoeuvre exercise with an Indian patrol vessel to further develop operational interoperability between the two nations.

Whilst visiting the Andamans and Nicobar Islands, HMS Spey's crew also got to the chance to connect with nature, including swimming alongside rich marine life at many of the beaches and coves.