New Delhi, Nov 21: India and the United States propose carrying out shortly joint exercises of the special forces of their respective navies. A two-day meeting of the executive steering group of the two sides was currently considering an exercise schedule that would involve Indian Marine Commandos (Marcos) and US Navy Seals, according to sources here.
Defence sources said the meeting of the executive steering group was also considering exercises in salvage, diving, submarine search and rescue (Sarex) and counter-terrorism warfare on the high seas.
Naval deputy chief Vice Admiral S Gopalachari and Vice Admiral Robert Willard, commander of the US Pacific Command S Seventh Fleet, were leading the two delegations.
The Indian Navy has been seeking acquisition of underwater systems. In 1998, India was negotiating to buy submarine rescue gear from the US when Washington barred military sales following the Pokhran-II nuclear tests.
Bureau Report