US congressional delegation visits Western Naval Command headquarters in Mumbai

Photo/Twitter

A delegation from the United States Congress, including Representatives Ro Khanna and Deborah Ross, visited the Mumbai headquarters of the Western Naval Command, the prominent branch of the Indian Navy, ANI reported on Monday.

The delegation was accompanied by Vikram Krishnamoorthy, Under Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, India. During their visit, they engaged with Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, AVSM, NM, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command (WNC), and other high-ranking officers of the Command.

The Indian Navy released a statement detailing the visit, stating that the delegation received a presentation on the roles, responsibilities, and activities of the Western Naval Command. They also toured the indigenous destroyer INS Kochi and visited Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., where they were briefed about the indigenous ship-building capabilities.

According to a statement, the delegation interacted with Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, AVSM, NM, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command (WNC) and other Flag and senior officers of the Command.

"India and US are parties to the annually conducted Maritime Security Dialogue and India - US Naval cooperation has grown substantially over the last two decades. The relationship between the two navies is spread over a wide canvas, which includes the annual bilateral exercise 'Malabar', multilateral exercise 'RIMPAC', high-level delegation visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) and goodwill visits by naval ships. Both navies are committed to ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and therefore cooperation in the maritime domain is the most enduring and key facet of engagement between the two countries," the statement read.

Also read: Mumbai weather update: Partly cloudy sky with possibility of one or two spells of rain likely in city and suburbs today

"The current visit by the US Congressional delegation contributes to improving understanding and strengthening the relationship between the two countries," it added.

Notably, Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the House India caucus are all set to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address from Red Fort on Independence Day.

Both US lawmakers will visit Red Fort where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address India on August 15, India's Independence Day.

Earlier, Khanna met actors Amitabh Bachchan and Anupam Kher. They also visited veteran actor Anupam Kher's acting school in Mumbai.