US Navy seeks berthing permission at Indian ports
The US Navy has again sought berthing and access facilities at Indian ports, a top US commander said yesterday.
US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael G. Mullen also expressed happiness over the "very supportive" response to his concept of a "thousand ship navy" collaboration between seafaring nations.
At a press conference here yesterday he pointed to the threat posed by the naval wing of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers and expressed concern at the growing clout of the Chinese navy.
He said the global war against terror and the Al Qaida could continue for "decades".
"Yes, the issue [of berthing and access at Indian ports] did figure in our discussions [with Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta]," Mullen stated. The US had first made the proposal three years back and New Delhi is yet to officially respond to this. Presently, US Navy vessels are granted berthing and access facilities as the need arises.
US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael G. Mullen also expressed happiness over the "very supportive" response to his concept of a "thousand ship navy" collaboration between seafaring nations.
At a press conference here yesterday he pointed to the threat posed by the naval wing of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers and expressed concern at the growing clout of the Chinese navy.
He said the global war against terror and the Al Qaida could continue for "decades".
"Yes, the issue [of berthing and access at Indian ports] did figure in our discussions [with Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta]," Mullen stated. The US had first made the proposal three years back and New Delhi is yet to officially respond to this. Presently, US Navy vessels are granted berthing and access facilities as the need arises.