On October 12, Chief of US naval operations Admiral Michael Gilday held extensive talks with Indian Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh with a focus on boosting overall bilateral maritime security cooperation in the backdrop of growing Chinese muscle-flexing in key waterways including in the Indo-Pacific. Pics/AFP
Updated On: 2021-10-12 08:30 PM IST
Admiral Gilday is on a five-day visit to India from October 11 to 15.
Officials said a range of issues including the regional security scenario, the situation in the Indo-Pacific and ways to further expand bilateral maritime cooperation figured in the talks.
After laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, the top American naval commander said India has a 'long and distinguished record' of contributing to global security.
Admiral Gilday is also scheduled to visit the Indian Navy's Western Command in Mumbai and Eastern Command at Visakhapatnam where he is scheduled would interact with the respective Commander-in-Chiefs.
'Admiral Gilday is also scheduled to embark the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group off the East Coast of India along with an Indian delegation,' Indian Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
The Carrier Strike Group is being led by nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and it is participating in the second phase of the high-voltage Malabar exercise from October 12-15. In October 2020, India and the US sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement to further boost bilateral defence ties. The pact provides for sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.
