India, US to conduct naval drills to send strong message to China
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New Delhi, July 20: Sending a strong message to China, a US Navy carrier strike group, led by USS Nimitz will be conducting basic maritime drills with the Indian Navy warships today and tomorrow.
The USS Nimitz which is the largest American warship will be conducting the PASSEX (passing exercise) between the two navies. There will be several Indian warships, including destroyers, frigates, and submarines as well as maritime patrol aircraft, which are taking part in the exercise.
It includes warships and aircraft from both the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) and the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) headquartered at Visakhapatnam. The ENC is currently carrying out drills near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
As the USS Nimitz enters the Indian Ocean for a passage exercise with the Indian Navy, re-upping this sweet speeded-up 2017 clip of the Nimitz transiting the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/1bDmaIUhAg
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) July 20, 2020
The USS Nimitz was carrying out a major exercise in the South China Sea along was USS Ronald Regan showing support for US allies and partners in the region against China. Its is not the first time a foreign country has conducted a joint drill with Indian navy. Last month, Indian and Japanese warships carried out a small exercise near the Malacca Strait. Japan has become a regular participant in the high-voltage Malabar military exercise along with India and the US.
India is also looking out to call on Australia to take part in the Malabar exercise. The decision to include Australia in the drills will be the first time all members of the regional grouping known as the Quad will be engaged at a military level.