Posted on 11/29/2001 7:26:07 AM PST by milestogo
|
|||||
By Penny MacRae
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Command said on Thursday Washington was seeking to raise military cooperation with India, a former Soviet Cold War ally, to ``unprecedented'' levels.
Spelling out for the first time the possible scope of the new ties, Admiral Dennis Blair said they could include such areas as combined special operations, joint military training, small unit ground and air exercises and navy personnel exchanges.
But he appeared to rule out any kind of far-reaching military alliance with India in the U.S. drive to combat global terrorism. ``We're not looking for a defense treaty. We're looking for cooperation on security matters that serves the interests of both countries,'' he said.
Indian newspapers have been full of speculation about India's warming military ties with the United States, prompting critics to accuse the government of throwing away India's traditional non-alignment for no real tangible gains.
Washington, in turn, is keen to strengthen its military and diplomatic relationship with India in its drive to bring stability to South and Central Asia.
Senior officials have also stressed that Washington's choice of Pakistan as a key ally in its campaign in Afghanistan (news - web sites) will not be to the detriment of its relationship with India.
``A robust U.S.-India defense relationship of a kind unprecedented in our bilateral history can play an important part in contributing to peace, security and freedom in Asia,'' Blair told a news conference.
Indo-U.S. relations have improved dramatically over the past few years as Washington has sought closer regional ties as a counterweight to China, and India was one of the first nations to throw its support behind Washington's war on terrorism.
JOINT EXERCISES SOON
Blair said he expected resumption soon of joint military and naval exercises following Washington's move in September to waive sanctions on India and Pakistan imposed three years ago when the two foes held tit-for-tat nuclear tests.
``We're looking at the near future, weeks and months, not years,'' said Blair, who earlier met a host of senior Indian officials.
Blair said the U.S. war against terrorism would also ``very much involve exchange of intelligence.''
He said it was vital to prevent ``senseless attacks'' such as the blast outside the Kashmir (news - web sites) assembly last month that killed 38 people. A Pakistan-based guerrilla group initially said it was behind the attack, and then denied responsibility.
``Regional cooperation is vital for a durable security structure,'' said Blair, whose visit is due to be followed by U.S. under secretary of state Douglas Feith next week.
Blair sought to defuse a controversy over reports alleging that a helicopter from a U.S. naval ship docked in the southern city of Madras had violated into Indian airspace, saying there had been no intrusion.
``The flight was conducted entirely in international waters and flew over no sensitive Indian facilities,'' Blair said.
Defense Minister George Fernandes also told parliament that there had been no violation of domestic airspace. The allegations prompted opposition lawmakers to storm out of the lower house of parliament for a second day in a row on Thursday.
I trust India more than any other nation in that area. If you don't then who do you trust? Communist China? Islamic Fundamentalists Pakistan or Iran? How about economically and socially disheveled Islamic Fundamentalist Indonesia? Those nations have repeatedly (and recently) vowed to take out the United States, Israel and India. Old beliefs die hard.
In terms of long-term allies for future peace and stability in the United States and the world, it doesn't get any better than India and Israel.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.