Article Posted on : - Jan 30, 2011

A file photo of British Navy Chief Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.

NEW DELHI (PTI): British Navy Chief Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope will begin his six-day visit to India from Sunday to enhance cooperation between the two countries in maritime security and anti-terrorism efforts.

During the visit, the Royal Navy chief is likely to discuss all aspects of UK defence and security policy as well as the defence relationship, including maritime cooperation between the two sides, the British High Commission said in a release here.

Stanhope would meet Defence Minister A K Antony and the three services chiefs, it said.

The Naval officer would also visit the Indian Navy-sponsored think tank National Maritime Foundation (NMF) and deliver a speech on 'Indian Ocean and Maritime Security.'

In the latter part of his tour, Stanhope will go to Mumbai where he would visit the defence shipyard Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL).

He will also meet the Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin and discuss with him ways to increase cooperation between the navies of the two countries.

The visit comes six months after Prime Ministers of the two nations highlighted their wish to see a strengthened defence and security relationship as a priority for the enhanced partnership between the UK and India.

The two countries have increased the military to military cooperation with their Navies and Air Forces holding war-games at regular intervals.