China’s Indian Ocean activity worrying, says Admiral Harry Harris Jr

NEW DELHI:China’s ‘non-transparent’ naval expansions in the Indian Ocean were a cause for concern, US Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Harry Harris Jr has said. Briefing reporters at the National Maritime Foundation, in New Delhi on Tuesday, Admiral Harris said, "there is general concern over China’s lack of transparency in its naval expeditions."

Harris is in India to hold talks with Defence Ministry officials to strengthen the India-US maritime relationship. The government refused to add anything more than say the Admiral’s visit was to strengthen bilateral ties.

Sharing insights on the Pacific fleet’s future of operations, Harris said that the Pacific fleet commands an area more than 50% of the world, adding jokingly that the fleet’s area of responsibility spans form Hollywood to Bollywood. The fleet will see greater deployment in the Pacific region, which currently comprises 60% of the US Navy’s fleet.

Stressing on Defence cooperation as one of the pillars of the India-US partnership he added, "enhancement of naval teamwork between our two great maritime nations would be the foundation of that cooperation".