The Hindu : National : USS Nimitz to be allowed

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Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007
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USS Nimitz to be allowed

Sandeep Dikshit

Cooperation is with all: Antony

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister A. K. Antony on Monday said the arrival in early July of the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to Chennai was part of the ongoing defence cooperation with several countries.

“It is part of our defence cooperation which is going on, sometimes in Chennai, sometimes in Goa and other areas. Ships from various countries such as France and the United Kingdom [also] visit our ports. So there is nothing new,” the Minister observed when asked whether India would allow the carrier to dock at Chennai port.

“Our defence cooperation is not only with the U.S. As I told you, many countries are part of our policy. We are now developing [defence] cooperation with almost all important countries of the world,” he said when asked about the opposition of the Left Parties. Last year, the Left parties staged a massive demonstration outside the Kalaikunda air base in West Bengal, the site of India-U.S. fighter exercises.

Mr. Antony said defence cooperation was also taking place with China. “So we are not particular about one country or another.”

India wanted to expand cooperation with several countries so that “our armed forces can get experience and learn from the abilities” of other forces.

“Our forces are going to the U.S., Russia and other important countries. Recently, the Navy had conducted exercises with Russia, the U.S., China and Japan.”

Referring to the ongoing discussions with Russia over its proposal for price escalation of ongoing supply of defence equipment, he said: “It is not a problem with Russia only. … negotiations are going on to sort out this problem. ”

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