Posted on 09/08/2001 7:54:05 PM PDT by freedomnews
Saturday, September 08, 2001
Military ties look up, 100 Armymen to train in US
GAURAV C. SAWANT
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 7: MORE than 100 Indian defence personnel will undergo training in different US military training courses beginning this year. The training will be initially limited to search and rescue operations, disaster management and peacekeeping operations but are expected to graduate to ‘‘military sales and technological cooperation’’.
US ambassador Robert Blackwill’s statement in Mumbai saying that US looks forward to receiving over 100 Indian armed forces officers this year, is seen as the next step in the military relations rebuilding road map charted out during the July visit of General Henry H. Shelton, Chairman joint chiefs of staff of the US Army.
The increase in number of officers for training is a part of their International Military Education and Training Programme. ‘‘The number of personnel going to US on structured training courses will depend on the funding from their government. It has been growing from $200,000 to $650,000 last year. Presently 30-35 officers of the three services are training in the US,’’ Defence Ministry sources said.
In August end, a team of US officials visited India and held discussions on search and rescue operations. Similar discussions on United Nations operations and disaster management are on the anvil.
‘‘Initial interaction will be on seemingly innocuous issues but both India and the US are keen on developing ties to ensure peace in the Indian ocean region. The US administration has showed keen interest in working together to protect energy supplies and sea-lanes, to increase naval exercises and port visits,’’ the sources said.
According to an official at the naval headquarters, the US has realised Indian Navy’s importance in keeping the sea lanes of commerce safe after the navy and coast guard in a joint operation rescued a Japanese merchant vessel Alondra Rainbow from pirates in the Arabian sea. However, the navy is quick to add a note of caution.
‘‘We have had the Malabar series of naval exercises with the US in the early 90s. These were the most advanced series of exercises we have ever had with any country. In the third of the series we even had joint anti-submarine warfare exercises from air, ship and submarines,’’ the sources said.
The US has also showed interest in sending more officers for training and courses in India. ‘‘They have sent an official for the Staff College and the National Defence College. In fact this year they have also sent an official for training with the IAF at Hyderabad and have displayed keen interest in India’s desert warfare exercises. General discussions on bilateral training were held during the visit of Shelton,’’ sources said.
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