Washington, March 24, 2005 (PTI)

Indo-US naval cooperation and acquisition of US equipment and systems were on top of the agenda when Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash met top American defence officials here.

Talks centred on ways to further strengthen military ties between the two countries, including joint exercises. All aspects of defence cooperation were discussed in the context of the transformed India-US relationship.

During his stay in Washington, Admiral Arun Prakash met with US Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz, Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Douglas Feith, Secretary of Navy Gordon England and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers, an Indian embassy press release said.

The United States welcomed the excellent cooperation between the two countries in organising relief operations during the tsunami disaster and expressed admiration for the speed and scale on which India deployed its naval and air assets in this effort. The two sides reaffirmed that the bilateral relationship has been on a steadily ascendant trajectory in recent years and has gained greater strategic content.

During the current 10-day visit, Admiral Arun Prakash will visit US Navy bases and facilities at Norfolk, Newport, Colorado Springs, Seattle and Hawaii, the release said.

At Newport, he will address students and faculty of the Naval War College on current maritime issues, including the security environment in the Indian Ocean region and the role played by the Indian Navy.