Chiefs of the US and Australian Navies Visit India
Cdr PACFLT, US Navy, Adm Samuel J Paparo and VAdm Michael Noonan, Chief of Navy, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) visited India. Although their visits were in individual capacities, the days they visited on remained the same.
Both the guests interacted with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar in addition to other high ranking government officials.
Among issues discussed during the interaction between the US and Indian naval Chiefs were avenues to strengthen the growing cooperation between the two navies, deal with challenges emerging on the maritime front, and enhance collaboration and interoperability to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Earlier, Adm Samuel J Paparo, Cdr PACFLT, US Navy, visited Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command (HQENC) at Visakhapatnam from 25 – 28 February 2022 to participate in Indian Navy’s biennial multilateral naval exercise MILAN 22. The Admiral was also a Guest Speaker during the International Maritime Seminar of MILAN 22.
India and USA have traditionally maintained close and friendly relations. The defence relationship between the two countries has been one of mutual trust and confidence, which has transformed after the accord of major ‘Defence Partner Status’ to India in June 16.
The Indian Navy closely cooperates with the US Navy on numerous issues, which include operational interactions such as the MALABAR and RIMPAC series of exercises, training exchanges, exchange of White Shipping Information and Subject Matter Experts in various fields, all of which are coordinated through the medium of Executive Steering Group (ESG) meetings conducted annually. In addition, warships from both the navies regularly make port calls at each other’s ports. The US and India navies have also been cooperating towards exploring new avenues for collaboration with a shared aim of a ‘Free, Open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
CoN RAN VAdm Michael Noonan had earlier visited Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command (HQENC) at Visakhapatnam from 25 – 28 February 2022 to participate in Indian Navy’s biennial multilateral naval exercise MILAN 22. The Admiral was also a Guest Speaker during the International Maritime Seminar of MILAN 22.
Among issues discussed during the interaction were avenues to strengthen the growing cooperation between the two nations and navies, deal with challenges emerging on the maritime front, and enhance collaboration and interoperability to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Admiral was given a broad overview of regional security dynamics and the operational aspects in recent times, particularly those related to delivering Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to Friendly Foreign Countries, conducting counter piracy operations, enhancing maritime safety and security in the region, and strengthening foreign cooperation, with special emphasis on IN – RAN cooperation.
CoN RAN’s visit was an important event in the continued and regular dialogue between Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy to cement and strengthen their comprehensive global strategic partnership further. Previsouly, the respective Principals had signed ‘Joint Guidance for Australia – India Navy to Navy Relationship’ in August 21. Terms of Reference for the Conduct of Navy-to-Navy talks between the two navies were signed in September 2021.