The United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, has sailed into the Bay of Bengal today in a demonstration of the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed by prime ministers in May 2021, the British High Commission in New Delhi said in an statement on Friday.

The CSG will provide a platform for a wide range of cultural demonstrations and trade and investment initiatives, it said.

It will also take part in an exercise incorporating elements from all three military services.

'The deployment is a powerful demonstration of the UK's commitment to deepening its diplomatic, economic and security-based ties in the Indo-Pacific region.

'India is essential in ensuring a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific,' the statement read.

British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis said: "India is an essential partner for the UK in the Indo-Pacific region. The Carrier Strike Groups visit demonstrates the deepening of the UK and India's defence and security partnership."

"Prime Ministers (Narendra) Modi and (Boris) Johnson agreed to work in lockstep for our shared security and prosperity. This visit will boost the cooperation of our armed forces and show the living bridge connecting our people," Ellis said.

First Sea Lord Adm Tony Radakin said: "The CSG's engagement with India showcases the deepening comprehensive strategic partnership. Both the Indian and the Royal navy are blue-water, multi-carrier navies, which places us in a very exclusive club.

"Our growing interactions are a testimony to the shared commitment to rules-based international system, a belief in the values of open trade, and in the importance of the freedom of the high seas -- a right conveyed on all nations."

As per the British High Commisison, the maiden CSG deployment will travel 26,000 miles, visiting more than 40 countries.

The Carrier Strike Group is led by HMS Queen Elizabeth -- the most powerful surface vessel in the Royal Navys history, it said.

'Taller than Niagara Falls, her propellers generate the power of 50 high-speed trains. At 65,000 tonnes, she is the largest surface vessel ever constructed in the UK. She leads six Royal Navy ships, a Royal Navy submarine, a US Navy destroyer and a frigate from the Netherlands in the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the UK in a generation,' the statement said.

The CSG is manned by 3,700 sailors, aviators and marines from the combined forces of the UK, the United States and the Netherlands. It is equipped with the fifth generation F-35B lightening multi-role aircrafts. They are being jointly crewed by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the US Marine Corps, it said.