US Chief of Staff here to talk joint counter-terrorism effort

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 17: Continuing with the high-level military to military interaction between India and the US, General Richard B. Myers, chairman, joint chiefs of staff, US army, arrived in New Delhi this afternoon on a two-day visit. Myers described the level of interaction between the Armed Forces of the two countries as ‘‘unprecedented’’ and said that it was essential to combat terrorism.

Even as Myers arrived in Delhi, a high level 10-member team of the IAF led by Air Marshal S.G. Inamdar, vice chief of air staff left for Hawaii yesterday. The Executive Steering Group (ESG) meeting of the Air Force will take place at the Pacific command headquarters at Hawaii. Emphasising Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism, a detailed presentation will be made to Myers by the newly-formed integrated defence staff led by Lt Gen Pankaj Joshi.

The Armed Forces have so far been interacting with the Pacific Command but following the recent US visit of Defence Minister George Fernandes, a decision was taken to interact with the US Central Command too. The US is keen for Indian interaction with the Central Command (whose area of responsibility ends at Pakistan) to combat Islamic terrorism, a MoD official said. The services will draw out the channel for regular interaction between the two sides.

Speaking to reporters on his arrival, Myers said,‘‘A solid military partnership is important in our common goal of defeating terrorism.’’ Meanwhile, US has assured that it will try to speed up delivery of weapon systems and equipment India is seeking including GE-404 engines for the LCA and weapon locating radars (WLR).