India, US reiterate commitment to enhance naval cooperation
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, April 13, IRNA -- India and United States have reiterated their commitment to enhance naval cooperation between the two countries.
During the talks in New Delhi with Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, the visiting US chief of naval operations chief Admiral Gary Roughead discussed ways to safeguard the seas.
Both sides, among other things, shared their assessments of China’s transborder military capabilities and its increasing presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The visiting US Navy Chief would also visit various naval establishments in Mumbai, Karwar and Kochi and Goa.
His visit comes in the wake of India-US naval exercise to be held in Goa from 23rd of this month till second of May.
Four capital warships and one submarine and a few aircraft from each side are scheduled to participate in the exercise.
He also met with Army chief General V K Singh and discussed several matters of bilateral strategic interest.
Admiral Roughead would leave India on Friday after completing his six day visit.
According to AIR, China has also forged extensive maritime links with IOR countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.
China’s ambitious aircraft carrier building programme was of particular interest since this is one arena in which it actually lags behind even India.
At present, while China may have as many as 62 submarines, with 10 of them being nuclear-powered and three armed with long-range ballistic missiles, and 75 major warships, it does not have an aircraft carrier.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 1053137
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