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India-Pakistan
US navy seeks berths at Indian ports
2007-04-20
US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michel Mullen (left) shakes hands with Indian Naval Chief Sureesh Mehta as he arrives to inspect a guard of honour in New Delhi on Wednesday
The US navy today expressed concern over the growing clout of the Chinese navy, and once again sought berthing and access facilities at Indian ports. A top American naval commander while expressing happiness over India's "very supportive" response to his concept of a "thousand ship navy" collaboration between seafaring nations said while "a rising and peaceful China is a good thing", there was "lack of transparency over its strategic intent.

Addressing the media here, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, US Chief of Naval Operations said, "China is shifting its focus from the ground to the navy and the air force. Clearly, we would like to better understand this. Where China is headed strategically is not clear (because) getting into a conflict situation is bad for all of us. At this point of time, there is some potential for conflict," Admiral Mullen added.

Admiral Mullen said the issue of berthing and access at Indian ports had figured in his discussions with the Indian Navy chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta. The US had first made the proposal some three years ago and New Delhi is yet to officially respond to this. At present, US navy vessels are granted berthing and access facilities as the need arises.
Posted by:John Frum

#2   Indian Officials Favor U.S. Concept of Thousand-Ship Navy

Officials here speculate that India would find it easier to participate in the U.S.-proposed thousand-ship navy than other more formal coalitions.

Adm. Michael Mullen, the U.S. NavyÂ’s chief of naval operations, discussed the concept of a broad coalition of friendly navies on April 18 during his visit here following this yearÂ’s Exercise Malabar. Ships and troops of the Indian Navy and U.S. Pacific Command conducted the annual exercises April 6-11 off Japan.

The thousand-ship navy is an attractive concept for India because of its lack of formalities, a Defence Ministry official here said.
India is already working towards a formal maritime security arrangement with the United States, and participation in the thousand-ship navy could be part of that, the ministry official said.
However, it is not clear whether the maritime cooperation agreement would come in the form of India joining the Washington-sponsored Proliferation Security Initiative, Container Security Initiative Regional Maritime Security Initiative or the thousand-ship navy effort.

The Indian Navy would find it easier to participate in the thousand-ship navy concept as it has no commander, and as such the informal coalition would not be commandeered by the United States, an Indian Navy official said.
Posted by: John Frum   2007-04-20 16:22  

#1  two bright points in Asia,

1) The defense establishments of both India and the USA get it. Our mutual interests are strengthened and force multiplied together.
It's a natural given the current and future power struggle in Asia.
Our respective defense establishments seem light years ahead of our elected politicians.

2) Japan's willingness to carefully expand their role with us regarding China and Korea. Their growing role makes the bitter pill called NORK seem a little less bitter.
Posted by: RD   2007-04-20 13:34  

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