USS Nimitz to return next month

It might drive the Left round the bend, but nuclear-powered super-carrier USS Nimitz is returning to Indian waters with a vengeance very soon.

The US is moving a flotilla of warships, led by Nimitz, to the Bay of Bengal to take part in the Indo-US joint naval exercises 'Malabar 07' from September 4-9. The American armada includes aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Chicago, guided missile cruiser USS Princeton and five other warships.

Aircraft carrier INS Viraat will lead the Indian ships that include Rajput class destroyers INS Ranvijay, INS Ranjit and guided missile frigate INS Brahmaputra. The IAF will field its maritime Jaguar fighters and the Navy its Tu-142 long-range reconnaissance aircraft. Featuring three aircraft carriers, the Navy does not deny that the complexity of the exercise will be greater than ever before.

The Left is, however, breathing fire.

CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat told the Hindustan Times, "Joint exercises of such nature compromise national interest. We are against any attempts by the US to draw India into its network."

However, the Navy refuses says the aim of such exercises is to gain operational and doctrinal expertise, imbibe best practices and enhance maritime domain awareness through sharing information.