N-deal protests won’t hit Indo-US war games

Erasing the memories of USS Enterprise in the Bay of Bengal during the Indo-Pak 1971 conflict, the Americans are sending nuclear-powered Nimitz (CVN 68) and gas turbine-charged Kitty Hawk (CV 63) carrier battle groups for the exercises. The American flotilla will comprise a couple of guided missile destroyers and one nuclear submarine Chicago. The two aircraft carriers carry a total of 170 aircrafts, which is one-third of the Indian Air Force operational strength.

Already, the Nimitz has docked in Singapore and is on its way to the exercise area with a number of senior US Navy officers expected to land in the Capital this week for last-minute coordination. Australian Navy Chief Admiral Russ Shalders was in the Capital today for bilateral naval cooperation and the exercise figured in the meeting.

Although the Left parties have threatened to launch protests in Chennai and Vizag on the eastern seaboard during the exercises, the Government is not cowed down by the challenge. The ships of the participating nations have already left the shores of the respective countries.

While the Left has concerns over closeness of Indo-US defence ties, the Indian Navy perceives the Bay of Bengal as its backyard and is all for playing a crucial role in protecting the sea-lanes of communications via the Malacca Straits. It is also conscious of the Chinese efforts to reach out to the Indian Ocean via Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan.