Amidst protests by Left, MoD clears Nimitz visit

Despite protests from the Left, the Government on Monday cleared the path for USS Nimitz to dock at Chennai early next month8212;the first visit by an American supercarrier to an Indian port.

Despite protests from the Left, the Government on Monday cleared the path for USS Nimitz to dock at Chennai early next month8212;the first visit by an American supercarrier to an Indian port.

The Ministry of Defence MoD moved fast to cut through the red tape and granted all necessary permissions for a four-day port call by the nuclear powered aircraft carrier even as the Left promised to 8220;take up the issue8221; and sought an explanation from the Government.

As reported by The Indian Express, America had sought consent for a friendly port call as a sign of changing Indo-US relations. USS Nimitz is on its way from the Persian Gulf and is expected to remain in the Indian Ocean region for some time. The carrier was located near the straits of Hormuz for the past two months as tensions grew on the Iran nuclear crisis.

While the port call is being seen as a sign of warming relations between the countries, Defence Minister A K Antony sought to downplay the affair by saying it was part of regular 8216;defence cooperation8217; with US.

8220;Ships of various countries visit Indian ports. This the Nimitz visit is nothing new,8221; Antony told mediapersons on the sidelines of a defence accounts function on Monday morning.

The Government8217;s apprehension about the Left latching on the issue8212;it has been critical of India8217;s stand on the Iran nuclear programme 8212;proved true as CPI M took exception to the speedy clearance.

8220;We would like to know what compulsions the Government had in taking such a decision. The government should explain it,8221; senior leader Sitaram Yechury said at the sidelines of the party8217;s central committee meeting.

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Yechury severely criticised the decision by saying that New Delhi8217;s principled position had been that no facilities in the country should be extended to nuclear warships.

The Left parties, which had strongly opposed joint Indo-US air exercises in Kalaikunda in 2005, have sought an explanation from the Government on the issue.

Meanwhile, the United States on Monday called the port call by the nuclear powered aircraft carrier a 8220;landmark8221; event in Indo-US bilateral relations. 8220;The first ever port call in India by a US aircraft carrier and a landmark event in US-India bilateral relations,8221; the American embassy here said in a release.

The embassy said sailors from the ship would volunteer in numerous goodwill events like cleaning local sites, refurbishing buildings and interacting with different members of the community.