U.S. Wants 'Significant' Naval Ties with India to Protect Sea Lanes

Washington: Recognizing India's growing maritime power, the United States wants to maintain a "significant" relationship with India to help provide stable and secure international commerce through the sea lanes, according to a top U.S. naval commander.

Although India is only providing staff personnel for the ongoing Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise, India's participation is of significance for all 21 other participants, Vice Admiral Gerald Beaman, commander of the U.S. Third Fleet and RIMPAC, said during a media teleconference Tuesday.

India and 21 other nations are participating in what is described as the world's largest international maritime exercise being held June 27 to August 7, in and around the Hawaiian Islands with 42 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.

"The partnerships we are building during the RIM exercise is exactly why we want to maintain our relationship with India to help provide stable and secure international commerce through the sea lanes," he said.

"So I believe our relationship with India will remain significant through the coming years," Beaman said noting that India and the U.S. have been doing a large number of bilateral military exercises in recent years.

"But in the case of RIMPAC, with 22 different nations participating, whether it's strictly through staff personnel or personnel and assets such as vessels, it expands that training value to incorporate employment of people and things in a coalition environment."