U.S. Commander for closer defence cooperation

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 28. The visiting U.S. Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Command, Admiral Dennis Blair, today met top officials of the Indian security establishment as part of efforts to deepen military cooperation between the two countries.

The meetings with the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, and top brass of the three services covered all aspects of strengthening military ties. These included sharing the Indian experience of combating terrorism and discussing future plans for joint military exercises and training programmes.

``The visit takes place within the templates set by the recent summit meeting in Washington between Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee and Mr. George Bush to promote closer military to military cooperation. Admiral Blair's arrival here is part of that process,'' said official sources.

In his meeting with Mr. Fernandes which extended well beyond the scheduled 30 minutes, the two discussed the re- activation of the joint Defence Policy Group (DPG), an institution to promote close military relations. They are also understood to have touched upon the coming visit of senior U.S. defence establishment official, Mr. Douglas Feith, who will be the DPG's pointman from the U.S. side.

He also held discussions with the Army Chief, Gen. S. Padmanabhan, the Naval Chief, Admiral Sushil Kumar, the Defence Secretary, Mr. Yogendra Narain, and the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal S. Krishnaswamy.

Admiral Blair also met the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, and the Minister for External Affairs, Mr. Jaswant Singh, to exchange notes on the ongoing developments in the region.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said India and the U.S. were discussing the Chennai helicopter episode at appropriate levels. Downplaying the unauthorised two-hour flight of the U.S. military helicopter, they said the pilot had most probably committed a ``technical mistake'' in not filing a flight identification plan beforehand.

Other sources suggested that a more reasoned response might be available tomorrow through a Government statement in Parliament. No reaction could be elicited from Admiral Blair as he did not speak to newsmen after emerging from the meetings with Mr. Fernandes and senior officials of the three services.

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