U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Scott Swift questioned the motive behind China deploying submarines for anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean, reports PTI.
The comments come in the backdrop of India’s growing concerns over rapid expansion of Chinese maritime capabilities and creation of facilities in the Indian Ocean region to support its forces.
“It’s hard for me as a maritime commander to understand how can a submarine support anti-piracy operations?”, he said.
Admitting that a raising power like China would secure its assets and resources, he noted with concern that the issue was the "lack of transparency and intent" on the part of the China.
Swift, who met Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan, also spoke about China's attempts to carve out their own ports in various countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Djibouti ( Africa). "There is lack of transparency, lack of understanding of the intent," Swift said.
Admiral Scott is in New Delhi. His visit is intended to consolidate the growing defence relations between India and US and also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation.
Admiral Scott Swift held bilateral discussions with Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff. The Indian and the US Navies cooperate with each other in terms of technical training, anti-piracy patrols, Navy to Navy staff talks, bilateral exercises such as MALABAR, as well as interact at various multilateral forums like RIMPAC.