Admiral Harry Harris Jr., the Commander of the United States Pacific Command, has warned India over the increasing Chinese influence in the Indian ocean region.
Speaking to an English News channel, the Admiral said, "I believe India should be concerned about the increased Chinese influence. If you believe there is only a finite amount of influence in the region, then whatever influence that China has is influence that India doesn't have.''
Responding to a query over possibility of a Chinese aircraft carrier battlegroup operating in the Indian Ocean, he said, "Clearly. Clearly. There's nothing to prevent them from sailing in the Indian Ocean today.''
"Chinese aircraft carriers are presently unable to maintain the operational tempo of larger US aircraft carriers which can conduct operations day and night. At the same time, the Indian Navy has far more expertise in operating aircraft carriers than China has and experience and expertise over time matter," he added.
The admiral also confirmed that the US and Indian forces are collaborating in tracking the movement of Chinese warships and submarines and said, "I don't want to get into it too much but there is sharing of information regarding the real time movement of Chinese assets."
Exhorting the need for more co-operation between the two nations, he said that a lot more can be done to share data between the US Navy and the Indian Navy if India were to sign the Communications Compatibility.
