Meanwhile,
Indian troops returned New Delhi Saturday after taking part in joint
exercises in Alaska over the last three weeks. These included two
dry-run joint maneuvers in which Indian and U.S. paratroopers conducted
their first 'live' firing exercise during Operation 'Geronimo Thrust' in
Alaska highlands.
During
the Alaska exercise, Indian special forces for the first time used the
American MP4 and their newer version MP5 assault rifles which fire
disintegrating shells -- a powerful weapon against terrorist
concentrations and for mob control.
The
Indian contingent along with special airborne forces of the U.S. Pacific
Command conducted airborne exercises and joint training which included
'live' firing exercises, an Indian Army spokesman said here. Eight
senior Indian army and air force officers witnessed the Alaska exercises
as observers.
Indo-U.S.
military-to-military dialogue is "developing day by day,"
India's Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Madhvendra Singh said in Washington
Thursday, October 17.
Addressing
a press conference, Admiral Singh said the chapter of U.S. sanctions was
over with the release last month of spare parts for the Indian navy's
Sea King helicopters.
