Posted on 09/12/2004 7:31:05 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick
NEW DELHI, Sept. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- India has sent some of its most powerful warships for deployment in the Gulf region as New Delhi steps up efforts to use its navy to project power in regional waters and to build closer defense ties with Middle Eastern countries, according to Indo-Asian News Service (IANS).
A task group of six ships, a submarine and helicopters from the Indian Navy's Mumbai-based Western Fleet, the maritime force's main war-fighting arm, left for the Gulf last week and will be in the region for three weeks, said navy spokesman Commander Vinay Garg.
The group includes two 6,700-ton Delhi-class guided missile destroyers, the most advanced and largest warships built by India,and INS Talwar, the latest Russian-built stealth frigate.
"The deployment of the Indian Navy ships in the north Arabian Sea also involves visits to ports of friendly nations," Garg said,noting that the group would split into two to call at ports in Oman, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.
Besides calling at ports, the Indian warships will carry out "passing exercises" or brief maneuvers with the other navies.
In recent years, India has stepped up efforts to use its navy to project its influence in the Indian Ocean region. Indian and US warships jointly patrolled the Malacca Straits for a short while last year and also the Indian Navy provided security for a summit of the African Union last year following a request from the host Mozambique. Enditem
India sees the Indian Ocean (including the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea) as being in their sphere of influence. That should be ok with us as the Indians aren't a threat, on the contrary they have the same enemeis as we have and it would be good if they could shoulder some of the burden of being the global policeman
INS Delhi Class Destroyer
ping
Maybe I am reading this wrong but building closer defense ties with Mid East countries, does not seem a could thing to me.
Well the old lady is in another bout of upgradation (possibly fitting of the Russian "Kashtan" gun-missile CIWS)-she'l probably hit the waters in 2-3 months.She has been in constant drydock a number of times in the past 5years.She will probably be around till 2010-12,by when,India's homebuilt carrier,the ADS(air defense ship) will be ready.The Russian Admiral Gorshkov will arrive in 2008.
Well India is buying increasing amounts of petroleum from the Persian Gulf-Saudi Arabia,Qatar ,Iran-a bit of muscle helps in keeping the supply routes open,especially if u will be the world's 3rd largest energy consumer in 10 years.By your logic,US naval forces(& massive US weaponssales) in the Middle East should also stop,right??
Think whatever you like. By my logic India teaming up with the ME is not a good thing for the US, nor is China and India competing for resources a good thing for the US.
Who said India is teaming up with those folks-the Arabs have always been pro Pakistan & will remain so & if u ever bothered to read,Israel is India's 2nd largest arms supplier(after Russia) & the 2 countries will begin military exercises probably by next year-these naval deployments are more a sign of "getting to know each other" & for protection of Indian shipping.Japan & South Korea are also building up ties with India to protect the sealanes & since the ME is far from them,it is naturally India which would be tasked with protecting the routes there.
About countries competing with the US, i have only one thing to say ,WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD OF GLOBALISATION -pls try to learn with it,there's nothing u or I can do about it.
& it's not India or Russia who are selling F-15S,F-16 BLK 60s,Abrams tanks,PAC-3 missile systems & Harpoon missiles to the Saudis,UAE,Oman & Egypt.So who's teaming up with whom??
Look I quoted from the article and stated my opinion. THe article stated defense ties with the Middle East.
Re: Globalization, America got a long fine before it - thank you.
& I gave my opinion on the basis of what I see as grotesque hypocrisy on the parts of many who conviniently forget that the US is the biggest arms seller to the Persian Gulf.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1094613508217
Indian Air Force commander proposes joint maneuvers with IAF
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=35701
'India to tie up with Israel, US for e-warfare systems
I also don't think it is America's job to be global cop. But then again I was not personally consulted before any arms are sold or troops deployed ;-)
I trust have a habit to distruct all governments.
Should say "distrust"
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