Contrarian
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2006
- Messages
- 11,571
- Reaction score
- 4
US seeks more liberal access for warships
NEW DELHI, APR 18 (PTI)
United States has sought more "liberal access" for its warships to Indian Naval bases and facilities.
The proposal figured prominently in talks between the visiting US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael G Mullen and top Indian Naval brass.
"We have mooted for more free access for our warships and warplanes" Mullen told newsmen after his meeting with his Indian counterpart Admiral Suressh Mehta. At present, US warships are cleared for entry into Indian ports on case by case basis.
"The proposal which would be on reciprocal basis is still under dialogue", he said.
Mullen said US was desirous of expanding cooperation with Indian Navy on equipment supply also along with holding of joint exercises and exchange of personnel.
"We are interested in selling our Naval fighters, equipment, radars and other systems to India", he said adding that he visualised in near future the two countries also collaborating on building of future aircraft carriers for the Indian Navy.
He said that the two navies had graduated to put in place cross postings of personnel besides sending officers to each others staff colleges. "We have already started training Indian Naval fighter pilots and a batch of 32 pilots is about to finish their course at US war training colleges.
Asked if the US had also proposed attaching Indian Naval warships to its flotilla on crucial visit and war games abroad, Mullen said the idea had not come up for discussion.
US Navy attaches warships from its close allies in deployments overseas.
Stating that the two navies had reached "comfort level" in a series of joint exercises held so far, Mullen said in recent trilateral US, India and Japan in the Pacific Ocean many new concepts of operating together had been validated.
He said in his discussions today at South Block one of the Main issues that had figured was to boost cooperation in equipment supply. In this connection, he said Indian Navy would receive the US ship landing vessel Trenton by May 26.
Mullen would call on the Defence Minister A K Antony tomorrow and also hold discussions with Army Chief J J Singh, Air Chief Fali H Major and Defence Secretary Shekar Dutt.
Welcoming India's growing peace initiatives with China, Mullen when asked about reports of Chinese buildup said Washington had opposition to China's national interest oriented military growth.
However, he said Beijing needed to be transparent about its strategic intent. "We have noticed recent moves by China to shift focus from ground forces to building up its air and Naval capability. In developing strategic weapons Beijing needs to be more transparent in intent".
http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=466254
NEW DELHI, APR 18 (PTI)
United States has sought more "liberal access" for its warships to Indian Naval bases and facilities.
The proposal figured prominently in talks between the visiting US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael G Mullen and top Indian Naval brass.
"We have mooted for more free access for our warships and warplanes" Mullen told newsmen after his meeting with his Indian counterpart Admiral Suressh Mehta. At present, US warships are cleared for entry into Indian ports on case by case basis.
"The proposal which would be on reciprocal basis is still under dialogue", he said.
Mullen said US was desirous of expanding cooperation with Indian Navy on equipment supply also along with holding of joint exercises and exchange of personnel.
"We are interested in selling our Naval fighters, equipment, radars and other systems to India", he said adding that he visualised in near future the two countries also collaborating on building of future aircraft carriers for the Indian Navy.
He said that the two navies had graduated to put in place cross postings of personnel besides sending officers to each others staff colleges. "We have already started training Indian Naval fighter pilots and a batch of 32 pilots is about to finish their course at US war training colleges.
Asked if the US had also proposed attaching Indian Naval warships to its flotilla on crucial visit and war games abroad, Mullen said the idea had not come up for discussion.
US Navy attaches warships from its close allies in deployments overseas.
Stating that the two navies had reached "comfort level" in a series of joint exercises held so far, Mullen said in recent trilateral US, India and Japan in the Pacific Ocean many new concepts of operating together had been validated.
He said in his discussions today at South Block one of the Main issues that had figured was to boost cooperation in equipment supply. In this connection, he said Indian Navy would receive the US ship landing vessel Trenton by May 26.
Mullen would call on the Defence Minister A K Antony tomorrow and also hold discussions with Army Chief J J Singh, Air Chief Fali H Major and Defence Secretary Shekar Dutt.
Welcoming India's growing peace initiatives with China, Mullen when asked about reports of Chinese buildup said Washington had opposition to China's national interest oriented military growth.
However, he said Beijing needed to be transparent about its strategic intent. "We have noticed recent moves by China to shift focus from ground forces to building up its air and Naval capability. In developing strategic weapons Beijing needs to be more transparent in intent".
http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=466254
