By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Oct 17:
Admiral Michael Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), US Navy, accompanied by his wife Linda Gilday and a high-level US delegation, visited Headquarters, Western Naval Command (WNC) at Mumbai on Friday.
During his visit he interacted with Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, WNC, and staff. Among issues discussed during the interaction were avenues to strengthen the growing cooperation between the two nations and navies, deal with challenges emerging on the maritime front and enhance collaboration and interoperability to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The CNO was provided a broad overview of regional security dynamics and the operational responses of the WNC in recent times, particularly those related to delivering Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to friendly foreign countries, conducting counter piracy operations, enhancing maritime safety and security in the region, and strengthening foreign cooperation, with special emphasis on Indo-US co-operation.
The crucial role played by Indian Navy ships through Operation Samudra Setu II in bringing home containerised medical oxygen to mitigate shortfalls in the country and strengthen its battle against COVID-19 was also highlighted.
The CNO addressed officers of the WNC, Southern Naval Command and various training establishments of the Indian Navy through video conference on the ‘Future of Warfare’. He also visited the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, one of India’s leading Defence public sector undertaking shipyard under the Ministry of Defence.
Linda Gilday interacted with women officers of the Indian Navy. The CNO’s visit was an important event in the continued and regular dialogue between India and the US to cement and strengthen their comprehensive global strategic partnership further.
