Tibet border: US seeks India's nod to hunt for 94 lost in WWII
New Delhi, April 17: An American delegation today explained to Indian officials the Barack Obama administrations strategic pivot policy in the Asia-Pacific region that focuses on increasing US military presence to guard its interests, particularly in the South China Sea.
The US has also sought Indias permission to carry out searches in Arunachal Pradesh to look for the remains of 94 American airmen killed in action during World War II. Three earlier efforts had failed.
The Americans sought Indias help at the fourth India-US political and military dialogue in Delhi yesterday. Official sources said Delhi had an open mind on allowing the searches, as it was an emotional issue.
In January, a team from Tokyo had arrived in Guwahati to exhume the remains of 11 Japanese soldiers who were killed and buried in the Assam capital during World War II.
The India-US talks covered South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific regions. Both sides had officials from their defence establishment.
The political-military dialogue was followed by the India-US East Asia dialogue today in which Myanmar was discussed between joint secretary Gautam Bambawale and assistant secretary of state for East Asia Kurt Campbell.
The Americans elaborated on their policy of strategic pivot to Asia in the wake of Washingtons move to cut defence spending in the region.
On April 3, 200 US Marines had landed in Australia the first batch of what would eventually constitute a 2,500-strong air-ground task force.
Both Delhi and Washington have interests in the South China Sea and are uncomfortable with Beijings aggressive posturing on issues related to the region. China has repeatedly warned India and now even Russia from investing in the South China Sea, which it says is a disputed territory.
America is concerned about the security of its trade through the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea. Nearly 70,000 container ships pass through the Straits of Malacca every year, accounting for nearly $5 trillion worth of global economic activity. As much as half the worlds ships pass through the South China Sea, 23 per cent of them related to US trade.
Campbell also appreciated Indias advice on Myanmar. Frankly, I must say, we have received very good advice from India over the last couple of years, he said.
US seeks nod to hunt for 94 lost in WWII
New Delhi, April 17: An American delegation today explained to Indian officials the Barack Obama administrations strategic pivot policy in the Asia-Pacific region that focuses on increasing US military presence to guard its interests, particularly in the South China Sea.
The US has also sought Indias permission to carry out searches in Arunachal Pradesh to look for the remains of 94 American airmen killed in action during World War II. Three earlier efforts had failed.
The Americans sought Indias help at the fourth India-US political and military dialogue in Delhi yesterday. Official sources said Delhi had an open mind on allowing the searches, as it was an emotional issue.
In January, a team from Tokyo had arrived in Guwahati to exhume the remains of 11 Japanese soldiers who were killed and buried in the Assam capital during World War II.
The India-US talks covered South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific regions. Both sides had officials from their defence establishment.
The political-military dialogue was followed by the India-US East Asia dialogue today in which Myanmar was discussed between joint secretary Gautam Bambawale and assistant secretary of state for East Asia Kurt Campbell.
The Americans elaborated on their policy of strategic pivot to Asia in the wake of Washingtons move to cut defence spending in the region.
On April 3, 200 US Marines had landed in Australia the first batch of what would eventually constitute a 2,500-strong air-ground task force.
Both Delhi and Washington have interests in the South China Sea and are uncomfortable with Beijings aggressive posturing on issues related to the region. China has repeatedly warned India and now even Russia from investing in the South China Sea, which it says is a disputed territory.
America is concerned about the security of its trade through the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea. Nearly 70,000 container ships pass through the Straits of Malacca every year, accounting for nearly $5 trillion worth of global economic activity. As much as half the worlds ships pass through the South China Sea, 23 per cent of them related to US trade.
Campbell also appreciated Indias advice on Myanmar. Frankly, I must say, we have received very good advice from India over the last couple of years, he said.
US seeks nod to hunt for 94 lost in WWII