New Delhi, Aug 13

A two-member United States Congressional delegation, visited Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Mumbai on 11 August 2023. The delegation included Representatives Mr Rohit Khanna and Ms Deborah Ross accompanied by Dr. Vikram Krishnamoorthy, Under Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

The delegation interacted with Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, AVSM, NM, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command (WNC) and other Flag and senior officers of the Command. During their visit, the delegation was given a presentation on roles, responsibilities and activities of WNC and a tour of indigenous destroyer INS Kochi. The delegation also visited Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., where they were apprised of indigenous ship building capabilities of MDL.

India and US are party to the annually conducted Maritime Security Dialogue and India - US Naval cooperation has grown substantially over the last two decades. Relationship between two navies is spread over a wide canvas, which includes annual bilateral exercise 'Malabar', multilateral exercise 'RIMPAC', high level delegation visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) and goodwill visits by naval ships. Both the navies are committed towards ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and therefore cooperation in the maritime domain is the most enduring and key facet of engagement between the two countries.

The current visit by the US Congressional delegation contributes to improving understanding and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.