Signaling the growing importance of India’s maritime prowess and its significance in the Indian Ocean region, the UK on Tuesday posted a liaison officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC). It is the key hub of maritime security information relating to the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Navy established the IFC-IOR in 2018 in Gurugram to effectively keep track of the shipping traffic as well as other critical developments in the region under a collaborative framework with like-minded countries. Australia and USA have already deputed their officers to this centre.
The positioning of the British officer at the centre comes ahead of a planned visit to India by the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, led by aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
“Lt Commander Stephen Smith will be based full-time at the Centre, working directly with the Indian armed forces and fellow liaison officers from partner nations to enhance maritime domain awareness in the region,” the British high commission said here on Tuesday.
Admiral Tony Radakin, Chief of Naval Staff of the UK, described it as a significant step towards maritime domain awareness by both India and Britain.