Top American Naval Commander Holds Talks With Indian Navy Chief
Chief of US naval operations Admiral Michael Gilday on Tuesday held extensive talks with 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. 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.
He is also scheduled to visit Indian Navy’s Western Command in Mumbai and Eastern Command at Visakhapatnam where he is scheduled would interact with the respective Commanders-in-Chief. “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.
