India Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh (R) shakes hands with Chief of US naval operations Admiral Michael M Gilday prior to a meeting in New Delhi.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
