VISAKHAPATNAM: The ‘Make in India’ could be a win-win initiative for both India and the United States of America, resulting in mutual benefit for both the nations, opined US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson. He felt that the ‘Make in India’ initiative was not an obstacle to the defence cooperation between these countries instead, it could be a mutual benefit programme.
Speaking to Express on the eve of the President’s Fleet Review here Friday, the Admiral said each country has its own national interests which influence its development and the ‘Make in India’ initiative is a natural development for a country like India which is making its presence felt among the maritime nations. The USA and India share common values with roots in democracy and have a civilian control of armed forces. “There are several areas of mutual interest where we can work together,” he added.
Richardson is on a five-day visit to India to strengthen the defence cooperation between the countries and is learnt to have ‘fruitful’ interaction with the officials in Delhi during his visit on February 2 and 3. “One of the priority areas for cooperation between the USA and India is exchange of information. Such bilateral and multilateral exercises like International Fleet Review, will help improve exchange of information at the field level,” he said. The US CNO is smitten by India especially Visakhapatnam where the IFR is being held. He is scheduled to participate in the President’s Fleet Review on Saturday, besides interacting with the sailors and officers of the US fleet - USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85) which are participating in the IFR.