HUBBALLI/KARWAR: In a welcome gesture and testimony to the escalating defence ties between USA and India, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter visited INS Kadamba, the Naval base in Karwar on Monday.
He was accompanied by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma and other US officials.
He toured INS Vikramaditya, India’s largest aircraft carrier. This is the first time a top official from the US has visited the recently inducted warship. INS Kadamba is a strategic Naval base of India and home to aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, besides other warships.
The USS Blue Ridge, the naval command ship of USA’s Seventh Fleet based out of Yokasuka in Japan, was also docked at the Karwar Naval Base and Dr Carter met the US officials and marines onboard Blue Ridge.
“Parikkar and Ashton Carter visited both the ships and also took part in a tree planting programme. Parikkar held discussions with the US Defence Secretary,” said a Navy officer.
Carter was briefed on the development of the Naval Base under Project Seabird, specially highlighting the green initiatives undertaken by the Navy to make it a pristine and environmentally friendly base. Defence experts termed this visit a ‘welcome sign’ and that it could take the defence ties between the two countries to new heights.
In 1971, during the India-Pakistan War, USA’s Seventh Fleet was dispatched to put pressure on the Indian side and to create a blockade for Indian warships.
But their attempts were foiled by the timely intervention of the Soviet Union. The USS Blue Ridge is part of the Seventh Fleet.
To be Largest naval base in asia
INS Kadamba is now under expansion phase. Once the second phase of expansion is completed, Project Seabird will become the largest naval base in Asia. The expansion is expected to be completed by 2018. Besides the largest floating island of India, INS Vikramaditya, the Navy had hinted that nuclear submarines will also be part of INS Kadamba in Karwar.