Defence News India: India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday visited two key US military installations to assess the working of US military. During his visit to the US, Rajnath Singh visited Naval Air Station Oceana and Naval Station Norfolk and observed working of the US Naval bases. During the visit to NAS Oceana, Raksha Mantri inspected a Boeing Mobile Flight Simulator, static display and F/A-18E flight demonstration, said the ministry of defence.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on an official visit to participate in India-US 2+2 dialogue which involves meeting of Indian defence and foreign minister with their US counterparts.
“The visit highlighted the depth of the US-India defence partnership and the close ties between the Navies of the two countries,” said the defence ministry.
The Indian delegation also toured the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), which is located at Naval Station Norfolk.
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Rajnath Singh was accompanied by ambassador of India to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla, defence secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, other senior government officials and active-duty military officers.
“The visit reflects on the strong defence ties between India and the United States and I hope that the relations will further strengthen in the near future,” said the defence minister.
Indian delegation was greeted by Dr James Anderson, who is performing the duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Rear Admiral Roy Kelley; Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for International Programs Rear Admiral Francis Morley; and Commanding Officer, NAS Oceana Captain John Hewitt.
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The US officials said the visit will further bolster the partnerships between the two countries.
India and the United States continue to build defence cooperation ties through military exercises, defence trade and official visits & exchanges, including this visit to the largest US naval base in the world.
