Indian navy personnel after attending the decommissioning ceremony of India's first indigenously designed and built warship, the INS Godavari, at a naval base in Mumbai in December. (Danish Siddiqui/Reuters)
Washington Post: U.S. military wants India to counterbalance China’s rise as a sea power
NEW DELHI — In a recent speech in New Delhi, the outspoken commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., was nearly poetic when he discussed the growing relationship between India and the United States, saying he was a “bit moonstruck” about the possibilities.
“In the not too distant future, American and Indian Navy vessels steaming together will become a common and welcome sight throughout Indo-Asia-Pacific waters,” he said, “as we work together to maintain freedom of the seas for all nations.”
The comments struck a chord — though, perhaps, not the note Harris wanted. Just a few days later, India’s defense minister, Manohar Parrikar, publicly rebuked him, saying India does not participate in joint patrols.
Growing concern over China and its naval activity in India’s back yard — the vast Indian Ocean — have brought the two once-distant militaries closer than ever before.
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WNU Editor: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving today for a short visit to the United States, to meet President Obama and to address Congress. I am sure China .... after Afghanistan and Pakistan .... is a topic that is going to be brought up.
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Will Pakistan join with China to be a "counter balance" to India?
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