National
A 'window of opportunity'
By V. Jayanth
CHENNAI, FEB. 11. The two-day official-level talks between the Navies of India and the U.S., held here last week, are seen by both sides as ``part of a larger defence/security dialogue and a window of opportunity'' to build a new bilateral equation.
It is not as though there have been no contacts between the two defence establishments all these years, but since September 11 and more so December 13, there appears to be a new ring to this dialogue and a sense of urgency to build a better understanding.
Defence sources say ``Even after Pokhran-II, we did not lose contact. It was only low-key. There were still exchange of visits, training facilities and the rest of defence cooperation. Only two key aspects were missing - defence supplies and joint exercises or operation''.
Now that the two navies have begun a dialogue in enhancing the level of cooperation, the Indian side is hoping that the supplies and joint operations will also begin before long. ``It is the joint war against terrorism that is bringing us together and providing a sense of direction and urgency to increase the level of cooperation,'' according to a senior official.
He says, ``the litmus test for the thaw in defence ties will be release of export licences by the U.S. As for as the Navy is concerned, the force needs spares for the Sea Harriers and Sea King helicopters. We were getting it through an agency in the U.K., but even that was stopped in between. This barrier has to be lifted and we hope this will happen soon''.
There has been consistent exchange of information and sometimes of intelligence too. With this new equation getting into place, the level of confidence and exchange will go up. With India being a key regional player in Maritime Reconnaissance and a Coordination Centre in Mumbai in the forefront of this global project in relief and rescue operations, there is bound to be a larger American role in this activity.
From the Indian viewpoint, apart from resuming supplies, the potential for training needs to be fully exploited. With the possibility of reviving joint exercises and taking it up to the level of `operations', there is the opportunity for U.S. nuclear submarines to visit some Indian ports in the not-too- distant-future. Now that India plans to acquire nuclear submarines, this should provide an opportunity for the Navy to get familiar with this essential component in its sea-defence system. It will also equip the ports and their personnel to handle nuclear submarines and for the Naval vessels to track and identify them.
As for the American Navy, the ports in India should provide a welcome break for their vessels in transit.
While the smaller vessels may choose the eastern ports for a break, the larger ones will have to drop anchor in Mumbai.
They have been looking for such port and assistance from the Indian Navy to ``explore the potential'' in this part of the world.
``As for as countries and governments go, there are only permanent interests in defence and security-not permanent friends. We should try to open this window as much as possible and enjoy the fruits of cooperation with the U.S. till it lasts. But this must be a purely bilateral focus, because a multilateral focus will blur the vision,'' the official explains.
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