No plans for joint maritime patrol with India: US

Washington, Feb 12: There is no plan of any India-US joint naval patrols either in the Indian Ocean or South China Sea, a top official has said here as he dismissed the reports that both the countries were planning a joint maritime patrol.

"At this time, I can say there are no plans for any joint naval patrols," State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference yesterday.

"The US and India do have a shared vision of peace, stability and prosperity in Asia. We are committed to work together with others in the region to achieve our shared goals in an open, balanced and inclusive security structure," he said.

Toner was responding to a question on news reports that India and the US were considering joint naval patrol. According to the State Department official, no such decision has been taken either in the Indian Ocean or South China Sea.

When asked, "No plans for naval patrol on South China Sea or anywhere?," Toner replied in negative. "Even in the Indian Ocean, there is no plan," Toner was asked again, to which he said "No".

Recently, there were some media reports which said that India and the US have held talks on conducting joint naval patrols in areas including the South China Sea.

PTI