Port Blair, Feb 7 (IANS) The current strain in New Delhi-Sydney relationship over a slew of attacks on Indians in Australia notwithstanding, the Australian crew onboard the visiting naval warships from the country are enjoying the hospitality here.

'The visit has been fantastic. We have been continuously supported to explore the environment here,' Lieutenant Commander Shane Doolin, the commanding officer of HMAS Glenelg, told IANS.

The HMAS Glenelg is a next-generation ship with a crew of 25 members. It has been anchoring in Port Blair since Feb 3. The offshore patrol vessel is a newly-built ship.

'No matter what is going on, it (the experience in India) has been fantastic,' said Doolin, who is visiting India for the first time.

Despite his busy schedule, Doolin took out time to go fishing on an island off Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

'I went fishing yesterday. It has been very busy but I managed to shop and pick up something for my wife back home. My crew is also having a great time here. Some of them went to Havelock (another island in the archipelago),' Doolin said.

'India-Australia relations are very close... We are all partners in Indian Ocean. We have often suffered coast tragedies and we provide help together.

'The Indian Navy has experience of combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden and we have maritime experience on our side. We can work together to solve our problems.' Doolin added.

Thirteen navies, from India to Australia, gathered here Friday to participate in the largest regional exercise that underlines India's growing reputation as a blue-water maritime power. The navies of Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam are participating in the exercise.