Indian, US navies conduct drills in Indian Ocean

Amidst tense border standoff between India and China, warships of Indian and US Navies led by the latter's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz held a joint drill off the coast of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Monday, said Indian Navy.

The drill was conducted as Nimitz Carrier Strike Group was transiting through the Indian Ocean Region in what was called Passage Exercise (PASSEX), the Indian Navy spokesman tweeted.

The Indian Navy had also conducted similar exercises with the Japanese and French Navies in recent past, he said.

Four frontline warships of the Indian Navy joined the "PASSEX" when the US carrier strike group was on its way from the South China Sea, officials said.

The exercise between the two navies came in the midst of China's renewed military assertiveness in eastern Ladakh as well as South China Sea.

The US Navy carrier strike group comprises USS Nimitz, the world's largest warship,Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS Ralph Johnson, the officials said.

The US and Indian naval forces together conducted high-end exercises designed to maximise training and interoperability, including air defence, the US 7th Fleet said in a statement.

"It was a privilege to operate with the Indian Navy," Rear Adm. Jim Kirk, commander, Nimitz carrier strike group, was quoted as saying by the 7th Fleet.

It said such Naval engagements improve the cooperation of the US and Indian maritime forces and contribute to the ability of both sides to counter threats at sea, from piracy to violent extremism.

The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance missions and beefed up operational deployment in the Indian Ocean region in the wake of the China's growing presence in the area.

Navies from the US, India, Australia, Japan and France have been deepening their mutual cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region in view of China's growing attempt to expand military influence in the resource-rich region.

Following escalation in tension between India and China in eastern Ladakh since June, New Delhi has put all the three forces on high alert.